Upper endoscopy enables the physician to look inside the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). For the procedure, you will be sedated and then the physician will advance a thin, flexible, lighted tube called an endoscope through your mouth and into your upper gastrointestinal tract. The endoscope transmits an image of the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum so the physician can carefully examine the lining of these organs.
Upper endoscopy is used in the evaluation of swallowing difficulties, nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, bleeding, indigestion, abdominal pain, or chest pain. During the procedure biopsies can be obtained, narrowing of the esophagus can be dilated, and areas that are bleeding can be cauterized.
Upper endoscopy is also called EGD, which stands for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (eh-SAH-fuh-goh-GAS-troh-doo-AH-duh-NAH-skuh-pee).
Please see “What are the potential complications of upper endoscopy or colonoscopy?” under the FAQ section of the website.
For more information about an upper endoscopy, we recommend viewing the above video from the American Gastroenterological Association. Please note that this is a general information video about upper endoscopy and that it is meant to supplement your specific procedure instructions from our practice.