EGD or Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

A routine procedure that allows a view of the inside lining of your digestive tract, from your esophagus to your duodenum, or the first portion of the small intestine. This examination is performed using an endoscope, a flexible fiberoptic tube with a tiny TV camera at the end.

The endoscope allows for diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease and for treatments as well. Diagnosis of heartburn and acid reflux, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, swallowing difficulties, unexplained weight loss and bleeding in the upper GI tract can be determined with an EGD.  Additional procedures with EGD  include treatment such as dilation of the esophagus, treatment of bleeding,  foreign body removal and biopsy.

An EGD will require moderate sedation and a short recovery period. You should expect to spend two to four hours in the Endoscopy department.