Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in Hattiesburg, MS
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Find a ProviderWhat is esophagogastroduodenoscopy?
An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a gastrointestinal procedure in which a long, narrow, soft tube — or "scope," as it is also known — is placed into a patient's mouth and snaked through to the duodenum (the beginning of the small intestine). The scope includes a light and camera at the end, which allows our physicians at Hattiesburg GI Associates, PLLC to easily look at the lining of the esophagus, belly, and the beginning of the small intestine.
An esophagogastroduodenoscopy may be suggested to determine the cause of gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain, heartburn or acid reflux, difficulty swallowing, bleeding, or abnormal x-ray results. We may also perform an EGD for Hattiesburg, MS patients with constant symptoms of heartburn to search for changes that could be an indication of esophageal cancer. Should you need an EGD, please schedule an appointment with a gastrointestinal specialist at Hattiesburg GI Associates, PLLC.
What should I expect the day before my EGD?
You will get pre-op instructions from your gastrointestinal doctor regarding the required preparatory steps for an EGD. A lot of our patients are able to eat as they normally would the day leading up to the esophagogastroduodenoscopy. We may ask you not to eat or drink after midnight except for necessary medications. It is very important that you abide by the instructions given to you by our providers at Hattiesburg GI Associates, PLLC. We'll also give you extra guidance regarding any medications you take. Generally, your medications will be continued as normal. However, there are certain situations where this may not be the case, particularly with blood thinners (e.g., Coumadin®, Plavix®, warfarin, anti-inflammatories, or aspirin) or if you have diabetes. In these cases, our team will provide different instructions.
What happens on the day of my EGD?
You should plan to arrive at the endoscopy facility in Hattiesburg, MS about 1 – 1.5 hours before your exam. You will need to change into a hospital gown. An intravenous (IV) catheter will be placed in your arm so sedation can be administered. We'll have you connected to equipment that helps our team to monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and much more during and after your exam.
After settling in to one of our exam rooms, you will be asked to lie on your left side on our exam table. Sedation will begin. After you're sedated, the physician will gently insert the endoscope into your mouth. The scope will be carefully snaked through the esophagus, stomach, and the first portion of the small intestine (the duodenum). A small amount of air will be injected through the scope into the gastrointestinal tract to aid the team in seeing through the camera. Any leftover fluid in the upper GI tract will be removed through the endoscope. Based on the results of your exam, a number of extra steps could be taken, such as biopsies, the removal of polyps, and treatment for bleeding. Typically, the exam takes approximately 10 – 20 minutes. After your exam, you will be taken to one of our private recovery rooms so we can monitor you as the sedation begins to wear off.
When can I expect my exam results?
Following the exam, your doctor will go over the results of the procedure with you. The majority of patients won't remember this conversation following their exam because of the effects of the IV sedation. We encourage you to bring someone with you to this discussion. You will also go home with a typed-up review of what we discussed. Biopsy results are usually ready within one week of the procedure.
Are there any risks with an EGD?
Typically, an EGD is a safe and reliable procedure. Overall, difficulties occur in about 1 percent of procedures. Most issues are not extreme, but some may require hospitalization and/or surgery. Before beginning the EGD, a consent form will be shared with you by the nursing staff. Should you have any questions or concerns, you can discuss these with your GI specialist ahead of your treatment.
Such as any other test, an EGD is not foolproof. There is a small, established opportunity that irregularities, such as cancers, might be unnoticed at the time of the exam. It is crucial to continue to follow up with our team and keep them abreast of any new or incessant problems.
Are there any alternatives to an EGD?
To a certain extent, your options will depend on the basis for ordering the EGD to begin with. Generally, an EGD is the most efficient treatment to find and treat abnormal results in your upper GI tract. However, an upper GI/barium swallow, a special type of x-ray, can assess your upper GI tract too. This is, however, just a diagnostic analysis. Treating any findings may necessitate an EGD or surgery.
Diagnostic EGD to treat symptoms
If you or someone you love has been complaining of troublesome problems like heartburn, difficulty swallowing, or intestinal aches, a diagnostic EGD may be the first step on the road to relief. You can find an expert gastroenterologist who is capable of performing an esophagogastroduodenoscopy in Hattiesburg, MS at our practice. Get in touch with Hattiesburg GI Associates, PLLC as soon as possible to request a consultation.
Reviews
The staff were very friendly and made me feel comfortable. I just recently had a EGD and a colonoscopy and could not have been treated better. The staff were practicing great hygiene skills in the time of this pandemic and it didn't stop them from giving great personal care. I have a great GI doctor and the nurse practitioner took time to explain my results to me and answered all of my questions on my follow up visit. I would recommend this office to everyone.
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