Gastroscopy under sedation

sedated gastroscopy · sedated upper endoscopy · asleep endoscopy · EGD with sedation

The doctor looks at your food pipe, stomach, and the start of the bowel with a thin tube with a camera, while you sleep. The sleep medicine goes into a vein. It is light sleep, not full general anesthesia.

For belly pain and burning, heartburn, anemia, weight loss, and to look for ulcers and polyps. Sedation helps if you are afraid, gag strongly, or need a long procedure.

⏱ Duration: the procedure itself usually takes 10 to 20 minutes, plus 30 to 60 minutes to wake up

Be sure to tell your doctor

All your medicines, especially blood thinners and diabetes medicines
Allergies, including to medicines and eggs
Heart or lung disease, snoring, or pauses in breathing during sleep
If you ever had problems with anesthesia
Pregnancy

How to prepare

Food. Usually no food for 6 to 8 hours before. If the procedure is in the morning, have a light dinner the evening before as your last meal.
Drinks. Usually still water is allowed up to 2 to 3 hours before, then nothing. Your clinic will give you the exact time.
Medicines. Take your regular morning medicines only as your doctor says, with a sip of water.
Someone to take you home. You need an adult to take you home. Do not drive that day.
Before the procedure. Take out removable dentures, take off jewelry, and wipe off lipstick.

What to bring

Your referral
Your ID
Past gastroscopy reports
A list of your medicines
The person who will take you home

How it goes

The doctor or anesthesiologist talks with you about your health and medicines
A thin tube is put into a vein, and a pulse sensor goes on your finger
You lie on your left side, and a plastic mouth guard goes between your teeth
The medicine goes into the vein, and you fall asleep within a minute
The doctor passes the tube through your mouth and looks at your stomach
If needed, a tiny tissue sample is taken for testing
You wake up in the ward and are watched until the sleepiness wears off

What you'll feel

During the procedure you usually feel and remember nothing
Afterwards you may feel sleepy, sometimes a little dizzy
Your throat may feel scratchy and your belly a bit bloated. This passes in a few hours

Afterwards

You can usually eat and drink after 1 to 2 hours, unless the doctor says otherwise
For the rest of the day: no driving, no alcohol, and no big decisions
You get the report the same day
Tissue sample results usually take 1 to 2 weeks

Contact a doctor straight away if

Severe belly or chest pain, vomiting blood, black stools, a fever, or trouble swallowing or breathing: see a doctor right away or call emergency services

Common questions

Is this general anesthesia?

It is sedation, a light, controlled sleep. You breathe on your own and wake up quickly, usually a few minutes after the procedure.

Why can't I drive after sedation?

The medicine slows your reactions for several more hours, even if you feel alert. That is why someone must take you home.

How long should I not eat before a sedated gastroscopy?

Usually no food for 6 to 8 hours and no water for 2 to 3 hours. An empty stomach is important for your safety.