About Your Upper GI Endoscopy
 What
is an Upper GI Endoscopy?
An upper GI endoscopy or EGD (esophagoastoduodenoscopy)
is an eamination of the lining of the upper
digestive tract through a flexible tube (endoscope).
This allows a specially trained physician to
directly view the esophagus (food tube), stomach
and duodenum (first portion of the small intestine)
and identify any problems.
Plan
to Do in Advance
1. Medications, Vitamins and Supplements
To properly prepare for your procedure, you may
need to make certain changes to your daily medication
routine.
- If you take insulin, consult with your physician
about making any necessary changes in you daily
regimen.
- If you take medications that contain aspirin
or other anti-inflammatory drugs (such as Motrin,
Advil, Indocin, or Feldene), we recommend that
you stop taking them seven days before your
procedure. They may increase your risk of bleeding
after removal of a polyp or a biopsy during
your upper GI endoscopy by interfering with
the normal clotting of your blood.
- IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY TAKING COUMADIN
OR HEPARIN, YOU MUST CHECK WITH YOUR PRESCRIBING
PHYSICIAN BEFORE CHANGING OR INTERRUPTING YOUR
DAILY ROUTINE.
- Certain medications should be continued
prior to your upper GI endoscopy. If you
take cardiac (heart) or anti-hypertensive (high
blood pressure) pills, take them as you normally
do with small sips of water.
2. In addition to changes to your medication,
you'll also need to:
- Bring a list of all your medications (prescription
medications, over-the-counter medications and
eye drops) with you on the day of your procedure.
You may bring the medication bottles themselves.
- Be prepared to list and describe your ALLERGIES
and REACTIONS to any medications.
3. Because you will receive a relaxing medication
during your procedure, you must arrange to have
a responsible adult pick you up and/or accompany
you home if you taking public transportation.
University of Pennsylvania Health System policy
requires that you make these arrangements, or
your procedure will not be performed. You
may not operate an automobile or other mechanical
equipment until the day following your procedure.
On
the Day Before Your Procedure
To ensure the most accurate results possible,
it is important that you do not eat or drink anything
after midnight on the day before your procedure.
The exception is medication taken with small sips
of water.
On
the Day of Your Procedure
If you are scheduled for a morning procedure:
You should have nothing by mouth (including gum
and mints) after midnight. The exception is medication
taken with small sips of water.
If you are scheduled for an afternoon procedure:
You may continue drinking small quantities of
clear liquids up to 6 hours prior to your scheduled
arrival time.
CLEAR LIQUIDS: water, apple juice, ginger ale,
sprite, beef or chicken broth WITHOUT noodles,
coffee or tea WITHOUT cream or milk, most sodas,
sherbet, pop-sicles, and Jell-O that is not
red or orange. DO NOT DRINK ANYTHING RED OR
ORANGE.
- On the day of your upper GI endoscopy, please
come directly to the requested location at your
scheduled arrival time. Plan to spend several
hours at the unit to allow time for your preparation,
your procedure, and your recovery.
- Before the procedure, a nurse will greet
you and assist you with changing into a hospital
gown. An IV will be placed in your arm. You
will receive relaxing medications through the
IV during the procedure. You will be lying on
your side during the upper endoscopy and the
endoscope will be passed through your mouth
and throat to view the upper digestive tract.
The procedure takes approximately 15-30 minutes
to complete.
After
Your Procedure
- After the upper endoscopy you will be taken
to the recovery area where you will be monitored
until most of the effects of the relaxing medication
have worn off.
- You may have some cramping or bloating as
a result of the air placed into your stomach
during the procedure.
- The Endoscopist will discuss the results
of your procedure wit you prior to your discharge.
You will receive discharge instructions on the
day of the test.
- Your endoscopy report and biopsy results
will be sent to your referring physician.
If you would like to speak to a nurse regarding
your procedure or preparation, or if you need
to reschedule your procedure, please call the
appropriate number:
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Procedure questions: 215-662-2122
To reschedule: 215-349-8222
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
All questions: 215-662-8900
Penn Medicine at Radnor
All questions: 610-920-1500
Please be aware that these instructions apply
to patients scheduled for procedures at the Hospital
of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Presbyterian
Medical Center and Penn Medicine at Radnor. However,
your doctor may give you different instructions
or procedures. If you have any questions about
your procedure, please contact your physician
at the Digestive & Liver Center.
Digestive System Illustration
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