Gastroscopy (OGD)
Gastroscopy (Stomach Endoscopy) is a common gastric examination in Hong Kong. It utilizes a soft, flexible endoscope to evaluate lesions and diseases in the upper gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, such as abnormal cells, inflammation, ulcers, or polyps. If you experience symptoms or diseases related to indigestion, acid reflux, difficulty swallowing, or esophageal and stomach cancer, you should follow a doctor's advice to undergo a gastroscopy. This procedure includes rapid urea testing for Helicobacter pylori, tissue/polyp removal, and gastric tissue sampling to evaluate whether a growth is benign or malignant, allowing for the immediate removal of polyps if issues are identified.
Gastroscopy can be more accurate than X-ray in identifying the cause of the disease, allowing the doctor to observe the condition of the upper gastrointestinal tract on the screen instantly and to use different instruments to stop bleeding, remove polyps as well as extract suspicious tissue for further laboratory testing. Contact Us for detained pricing and information of cystoscopy at HKMED.
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Gastroscopy (OGD) Check-up
Gastroscopy is a simple procedure that can be completed in about 2 hours at day medical centre. Prior to gastroscopy, an anaesthetic procedure will be performed to minimise discomfort during the examination. Gastroscopy using a flexible tube of approximately 0.9 cm diameter is passed through the mouth into the body and the lining of the oesophagus, stomach and part of the duodenum will be examined. The entire gastroscopy generally takes about 15 to 20 minutes and the patient will be then taken to the recovery room where he/she will be checked with the vital-index device for further monitoring by a team of healthcare professionals.
Who needs gastroscopy?
Gastroscopy can help to check the problem occurring in stomach, if you have below symptoms or situation, you are recommend to do gastroscopy check-up:
Family history with gastrointestinal tract cancer
Benign tumors or polyps was found from stomach
Affected H. pylori
Stomach feeling not well after or before meals
Feeling of heart burn
Gastrointestinal bleedings
Acid Reflux
Upper abdominal pain
Diseases that can be evaluated by Gastroscopy
Through a gastroscopy, various digestive tract diseases related to the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum can be evaluated, including but not limited to:
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Refers to the chronic reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus or even the mouth.
Gastric Ulcer
Damage to the gastric mucosal lining that allows stomach acid to directly attack the stomach wall, leading to gastric inflammation.
Duodenal Ulcer
Damage to the mucosal lining of the duodenum allows stomach acid to directly attack the wall, leading to inflammation.
Chronic Gastritis
Gastritis is triggered when the gastric mucosa becomes inflamed, eroded, or bleeds. Patients typically experience symptoms such as nausea and loss of appetite, generally lasting for six months or longer.
Esophageal Cancer
Malignant tumors develop in the esophagus due to genetic mutations in tissue cells, leading to cancer.
Stomach Cancer
Cancer cells develop in the stomach due to genetic mutations in tissue cells, leading to cancer.
Preparing for Gastroscopy (OGD)
Patients need to fast for 6 hours before gastroscopy so that the doctor can examine the lining of the stomach more clearly. The patients should inform the doctor of any medication currently taking, or the suspect or confirmed pregnancy before the examination so that the doctor is aware of the patient’s condition. After the gastroscopy, the patient will be taken to the recovery room for a rest. Due to the use of sedatives, patients are advised to avoid operating heavy machinery, signing legal documents or driving for 24 hours after the examination.
No food or drink six hours before the procedure.
Please inform the doctor if you are taking any drugs or medications, particularly for diabetes or that could affect blood clotting
Please inform the doctor before the inspection if the patient is or might be pregnant.
Please remove all metallic items (such as dentures, jewelry, and contact lenses, etc.) and change into the procedure gown.
Gastroscopy FAQs
Gastroscopy is a simple check-up that can be completed in about 2 hours after the doctor has assessed the patient’s physical condition and considered the procedure could be conducted at a day medical centre.
No referral letter is required for specialist services at HKMED, but if you need to apply for an insurance claim, you may need to check with your insurance company for the details of the claim.
Since a gastroscopy requires fasting for at least 6 hours prior to the procedure, same-day appointments may not be available. The standard procedure involves an initial consultation with a doctor to understand the patient's condition before scheduling the appropriate examination and treatment.
Anaesthesia will be used during gastroscopy to relax during the examination, it takes around an hour to recover after the procedure.
The procedure is not usually painful, but it may be unpleasant. In order to decrease the uncomfortable feeling, patient can discuss with your medical team with a suitable anaesthesia method.
Although gastroscopy is an invasive procedure, it is a safe check-up item. Patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, valvular heart disease, or those taking medication, however, should inform their doctor before the examination so that they are aware of their health condition. Patients should also contact the centre as soon as possible if they feel unwell after the examination or if they have any questions about the test results.
In addition to public hospitals, many day medical centers, endoscopy centers, and private hospitals in Hong Kong provide gastroscopy services. Fees vary depending on factors such as the type of anesthesia (conscious sedation or monitored anesthesia care), consultation fees, basic medications, polyp removal, pathological testing, and other procedural costs. To cater to the needs of different patients, our HKMED Specialist Center provides services covering various "Gastroscopy Packages" and "Cancer Screening Schemes," offering competitive gastroscopy pricing. We utilize advanced high-definition endoscopy systems equipped with innovative Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) and Dual Focus modes, ensuring clearer and more accurate diagnostic images. With our highly experienced medical team, patients can receive comprehensive and professional care from consultation and assessment to examination and treatment.
For specific details regarding gastroscopy procedures, Elderly Health Care Voucher, medical cards, and insurance plans, it is recommended that patients inquire with the respective institutions for more information.
During the gastroscopy, the center offers two anesthesia options for patients to choose from:
Intravenous Sedation:Relaxes the patient through the injection of intravenous sedatives for a more comfortable procedure.
Deep Anesthesia:Allows the patient to undergo the gastroscopy without any discomfort through deep anesthesia.
