What is an Upper GI Endoscopy ?

An Upper GI Endoscopy is a procedure to look at the inside of your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum using a flexible telescope.

This procedure is sometimes known as an upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy or an OGD (Oesophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy).

What preparation is required for a Upper GI Endoscopy ?

Do not eat anything in the 6 hours before your appointment, and only drink small sips of water. This is to make sure your stomach is empty so the endoscopist can have a clear view of your stomach. It will also make the procedure more comfortable. You can continue to drink small sips of water up to 2 hours before the procedure. More information will be provided within your appointment confirmation pack.

Anticoagulant/blood thinning information

If you are taking anticoagulants such as Warfarin, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran, Apixaban, Edoxaban or Clopidogrel, you will receive guidance over the telephone when booking your appointment regarding the management of your medication. Additionally, you will receive documentation via post detailing instructions on how to manage your medication. If you currently have an appointment booked and have not received information about anticoagulants, please contact the administrative team. For Treatment Centre and City Hospital appointments, contact 0115 962 8034. For Queen's Medical Centre appointments, contact 0115 970 9060.

Alternative languages

Arabic 

Bengali

Cantonese

Greek

Hindi

Mandarin

Marathi

Nepalese

Polish

Portuguese

Romanian

Russian

Turkish

Ukrainian

Urdu

Vietnamese

Welsh

What is a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy?

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure to look at the inside of the lower part of your colon (large bowel) using a flexible telescope.

What preparation is required for a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy?

You will be given some laxatives or an enema before the procedure. This is to make sure your bowel is empty so the endoscopist can have a clear view. More information will be provided within your appointment confirmation pack.

Anticoagulant/blood thinning information

If you are taking anticoagulants such as Warfarin, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran, Apixaban, Edoxaban or Clopidogrel, you will receive guidance over the telephone when booking your appointment regarding the management of your medication. Additionally, you will receive documentation via post detailing instructions on how to manage your medication. If you currently have an appointment booked and have not received information about anticoagulants, please contact the administrative team. For Treatment Centre and City Hospital appointments, contact 0115 962 8034. For Queen's Medical Centre appointments, contact 0115 970 9060.

Alternative languages

Arabic

Bengali 

Hindi

Mandarin

Marathi

Polish

Portuguese

Romanian

Russian

Turkish

Ukrainian

Urdu

Welsh

What is a Transnasal Endoscopy?

A transnasal endoscopy (often shortened to TNE) is a procedure to look at the inside of your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum using a flexible telescope.

This procedure is similar to a Gastroscopy. The main differences are that a Gastroscopy is performed through the mouth (transoral), while a transnasal endoscopy goes through the nostril using a thinner endoscope.

What preparation is required for a Transnasal Endoscopy?

Do not eat anything in the 6 hours before your appointment, and only drink small sips of water. This is to make sure your stomach is empty so the endoscopist can have a clear view of your stomach. It will also make the procedure more comfortable. More information will be included within your appointment confirmation pack.

Anticoagulant/blood thinning information

If you are taking anticoagulants such as Warfarin, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran, Apixaban, Edoxaban or Clopidogrel, you will receive guidance over the telephone when booking your appointment regarding the management of your medication. Additionally, you will receive documentation via post detailing instructions on how to manage your medication. If you currently have an appointment booked and have not received information about anticoagulants, please contact the administrative team. For Treatment Centre and City Hospital appointments, contact 0115 962 8034. For Queen's Medical Centre appointments, contact 0115 970 9060.

Alternative languages

Welsh

 

What is an EUS?

An EUS (endoscopic ultrasound) is a procedure to look at the wall of your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum using a flexible telescope.

The telescope has an ultrasound scanner attached to it so that the endoscopist can scan structures beneath the lining of your intestines such as your bile ducts and pancreas.

What preparation is required for an EUS?

Do you eat anything in the 6 hours before your appointment, and only drink small sips of water. This is to make sure your stomach is empty so the endoscopist can have a clear view of your stomach. It will also make the procedure more comfortable. More information will be included within your appointment confirmation pack.

Anticoagulant/blood thinning information

If you are taking anticoagulants such as Warfarin, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran, Apixaban, Edoxaban or Clopidogrel, you will receive guidance over the telephone when booking your appointment regarding the management of your medication. Additionally, you will receive documentation via post detailing instructions on how to manage your medication. If you currently have an appointment booked and have not received information about anticoagulants, please contact the administrative team. For Treatment Centre and City Hospital appointments, contact 0115 962 8034. For Queen's Medical Centre appointments, contact 0115 970 9060.

Alternative languages

Arabic

Welsh

 

What is an ERCP?

An ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) is a procedure to look for any problems in your bile duct or pancreatic duct using a flexible telescope.

What preparation is required for an ERCP?

Do not eat anything in the 6 hours before your appointment, and only drink small sips of water. This is to make sure your stomach is empty so the endoscopist can have a clear view of your stomach. It will also make the procedure more comfortable. More information will be included within your appointment confirmation pack.

Anticoagulant/blood thinning information

If you are taking anticoagulants such as Warfarin, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran, Apixaban, Edoxaban or Clopidogrel, you will receive guidance over the telephone when booking your appointment regarding the management of your medication. Additionally, you will receive documentation via post detailing instructions on how to manage your medication. If you currently have an appointment booked and have not received information about anticoagulants, please contact the administrative team. For Treatment Centre and City Hospital appointments, contact 0115 962 8034. For Queen's Medical Centre appointments, contact 0115 970 9060.

Alternative languages

Arabic

Hindi

 

What is an Upper GI Endoscopy and Dilatation?

An Endoscopy is a procedure to look at the inside of your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum using a flexible telescope.

This procedure is sometimes known as an upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy or an OGD (Oesophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy).

Patients are referred for dilatation when their symptoms or test results suggest that they may have a narrowing or stricture. A dilatation involves stretching the narrowed area.

What preparation is required for a Endoscopy with Dilatation?

Do not eat anything in the 6 hours before your appointment, only drink small sips of water. This is to make sure your stomach is empty so the endoscopist can have a clear view of your stomach. It will also make the procedure more comfortable. You can continue to drink small sips of water up to 2 hours before the procedure. More information will be included within your appointment confirmation pack.

Anticoagulant/blood thinning information

If you are taking anticoagulants such as Warfarin, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran, Apixaban, Edoxaban or Clopidogrel, you will receive guidance over the telephone when booking your appointment regarding the management of your medication. Additionally, you will receive documentation via post detailing instructions on how to manage your medication. If you currently have an appointment booked and have not received information about anticoagulants, please contact the administrative team. For Treatment Centre and City Hospital appointments, contact 0115 962 8034. For Queen's Medical Centre appointments, contact 0115 970 9060.

Alternative languages

Arabic

Welsh

What is Inserting an Oesophageal Stent (Endoscopy)?

An Endoscopy is a procedure to look at the inside of your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum using a flexible telescope.

This procedure is sometimes known as an upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy or an OGD (Oesophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy).

Patients are referred for insertion of a stent (metal mesh tube) in the oesophagus to help make swallowing easier.

What preparation is required for a Gastroscopy with Stent?

Do not eat or drink in the 6 hours before the procedure. This is to make sure that your oesophagus and stomach are empty so that the endoscopist can have a clear view. It will also make the procedure more comfortable. More information will be included within your appointment confirmation pack.

Anticoagulant/blood thinning information

If you are taking anticoagulants such as Warfarin, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran, Apixaban, Edoxaban or Clopidogrel, you will receive guidance over the telephone when booking your appointment regarding the management of your medication. Additionally, you will receive documentation via post detailing instructions on how to manage your medication. If you currently have an appointment booked and have not received information about anticoagulants, please contact the administrative team. For Treatment Centre and City Hospital appointments, contact 0115 962 8034. For Queen's Medical Centre appointments, contact 0115 970 9060.

Alternative languages

Arabic

Welsh

 

What is a PEG?

A percutaneous endoscopy gastrostomy (PEG) is a procedure to insert a feeding tube through your skin and into your stomach.

Patients are referred for a PEG when there are concerns that they are not able to eat or drink enough in the normal way. A PEG allows the healthcare team to give patients the nutrients and fluid they need to stay alive.

What preparation is required for a PEG?

Do not eat or drink in the 6 hours before the procedure, even if you are already being fed using a tube. This is to make sure your stomach is empty so the endoscopist can have a clear view of your stomach. It will also make the procedure more comfortable. More information will be included within your appointment confirmation pack.

Anticoagulant/blood thinning information

If you are taking anticoagulants such as Warfarin, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran, Apixaban, Edoxaban or Clopidogrel, you will receive guidance over the telephone when booking your appointment regarding the management of your medication. Additionally, you will receive documentation via post detailing instructions on how to manage your medication. If you currently have an appointment booked and have not received information about anticoagulants, please contact the administrative team. For Treatment Centre and City Hospital appointments, contact 0115 962 8034. For Queen's Medical Centre appointments, contact 0115 970 9060.

Alternative languages

Arabic

Welsh

What is a Capsule Sponge?

This is a new test introduced in a number of areas in the NHS as it has been proven in clinical trials to be a simple, safe and effective way of diagnosing conditions related to the oesophagus (gullet).

Your GP has referred you for an endoscopy (a test with a camera to examine your gullet and stomach) to understand your current symptoms. We are evaluating the role of Capsulesponge as an innovative alternative to endoscopy which is the usual process for diagnosing these conditions. Therefore, patients on the waiting list for endoscopy that meet specific criteria will be offered the Capsulesponge test instead of endoscopy.

A Capsulesponge is a small capsule on a string. The capsule is a similar size to a vitamin tablet and is made from vegetarian gelatin. The capsule contains a sponge which is designed to collect a sample of cells from your oesophagus (gullet). This will then be tested to find out if there are any cells which are unexpected or abnormal. 

Problems with heartburn and acid reflux are very common but occasionally this can lead to changes in the normal cells that line your oesophagus (gullet).

Very rarely these cells can develop into pre-cancerous or cancerous cells and may lead to oesophageal cancer (cancer of the gullet). When changes to cells are found early it can make any treatment much simpler and the impact on a patient is much less significant.

A Capsulesponge test can help your doctor investigate and manage your symptoms. 

What preparation is required for a Capsule Sponge?

Before your test appointment

• You should keep taking all your usual medications
• If you take any blood thinning medication please read the alert for patients on Warfarin on page 7 of this leaflet. If you take Warfarin you will need to have an INR test 7 days before your Capsulesponge test.
• If you have diabetes please make sure your appointment is a late morning appointment (as you cannot eat or drink for 4 hours before your appointment)
• If you have any questions about the test or find that you cannot keep your appointment, please contact the clinic using the contact details on your Capsulesponge referral letter. 

On the day of your test

• You should have nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours before your appointment
• Take your medication as normal, but with only a little water. Please bring a list of your medications with you to your appointment
• If you are on blood thinners you will have had separate instructions
• If you have diabetes please have a light breakfast early in the morning (a minimum of 4 hours before your appointment) and take your usual medication

Further information about Capsule Sponge and what to expect during the procedure can be found here: Capsule Sponge Information Leaflet