Upper endoscopy is usually performed with sedation or anesthesia. The risk increases if additional procedures, such as dilation to widen your esophagus, are performed. The risk of this complication is very low - it occurs in an estimated 1 of every 2,500 to 11,000 diagnostic upper endoscopies.

A tear in your esophagus or another part of your upper digestive tract may require hospitalization, and sometimes surgery to repair it. Tearing of the gastrointestinal tract.Your provider may give you preventive antibiotics before your procedure if you are at higher risk of infection. Most infections are minor and can be treated with antibiotics. The risk of infection increases when additional procedures are performed as part of your endoscopy. Most endoscopies consist of an examination and biopsy, and risk of infection is low. In rare cases, such bleeding may require a blood transfusion. Your risk of bleeding complications after an endoscopy is increased if the procedure involves removing a piece of tissue for testing (biopsy) or treating a digestive system problem. Narrow band imaging uses special light to help better detect precancerous conditions, such as Barrett's esophagus.Īn endoscopy is a very safe procedure. Many endoscopes are used with technology called narrow band imaging. Newer endoscopes use high-definition video to provide clearer images.

An endoscopic ultrasound may also help create images of hard-to-reach organs, such as your pancreas. An ultrasound probe may be attached to the endoscope to create images of the wall of your esophagus or stomach. For example, an endoscopy can be used to burn a bleeding vessel to stop bleeding, widen a narrow esophagus, clip off a polyp or remove a foreign object.Īn endoscopy is sometimes combined with other procedures, such as an ultrasound. Special tools can be passed through the endoscope to treat problems in your digestive system. It can also detect some cancers of the upper digestive system. An endoscopy offers an opportunity to collect tissue samples (biopsy) to test for diseases and conditions that may be causing anemia, bleeding, inflammation or diarrhea. An endoscopy can help determine what's causing digestive signs and symptoms, such as heartburn, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing and gastrointestinal bleeding. Your provider may recommend an endoscopy procedure to: The upper digestive system includes the esophagus, stomach and beginning of the small intestine (duodenum). It includes the organs necessary to digest food, absorb nutrients and process waste.Īn upper endoscopy is used to diagnose and sometimes treat conditions that affect the upper part of the digestive system. Your digestive tract stretches from your mouth to your anus.

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