A gastroscopy is an endoscopic technique that enables your doctor to examine the lining of the upper part of your gastrointestinal tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first portion of the small intestine). Your doctor will use a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope which is equipped with a miniature video camera and a light source that allow viewing of high resolution images on a video monitor. If abnormalties are identified, biopsies can be performed at the time of the proceedure. It is felt to be the best method of completely examining the gastrointestinal tract.Specially trained medical doctors, usually General Surgeons and Gastroenterologists, perform gastroscopies.Gastroscopies can be performed in hospitals either on hospital in-patients or on individuals done on an out-patient basis. Increasingly gastroscopies, especially screening gastroscopy, can be performed at especially equipped out of hospital clinics, such as Barrie Endoscopy.
