Modern endoscopic equipment makes it possible to diagnose pathology in the early stages and carry out timely treatment.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is one of the diagnostic methods. Read more about this research method in the article by gastroenterologist, therapist, nutritionist, endoscopist MM ""Dobrobut"" Angela Valerievna Koren.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is a method of examining the mucous membrane of the upper parts of the digestive tract, namely the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, using endoscopic equipment. This method has two directions: diagnostic and therapeutic (healing).
Diagnostic endoscopy reveals:
- changes of the mucous membrane of an inflammatory nature (gastritis);
- presence of defects (erosions, ulcers);
- presence of neoplasms: benign (polyps) and malignant (cancer).
With pathology detected during endoscopy, problems in ""neighboring"" organs can be suspected. For example, liver disease (varicose veins of the esophagus and stomach) and pancreas, small intestinal obstruction, food allergy (eosinophilic esophagitis), gluten intolerance (celiac disease) and other diseases.
Modern endoscopic equipment with high resolution and magnification, simultaneously with the use of chromoscopy (staining of the mucous membrane during endoscopy) allows for oncoscreening, i.e. detection of malignant neoplasms in the early stages, as well as precancerous ones pathology, followed by radical endoscopic treatment. Thanks to this, it is possible to improve the patient's quality of life with the help of gentle surgical intervention, reduce the mortality rate, and also prevent cancer, if radical treatment of precancerous conditions is carried out in time.
Therapeutic (healing) endoscopy includes:
- stopping bleeding and carrying out measures for their prevention;
- removal of foreign bodies from the esophagus and stomach;
- treatment of gallstone disease;
- radical and palliative treatment of cancer diseases (including - installation of stents, gastrostomy, probes for enteral nutrition);
- carrying out medical measures for chemical burns, etc.
In order for the endoscopy to be performed effectively, a combination of several components must be a prerequisite: modern equipment, experience and knowledge of the doctor who performs the procedure.
Performing a gastroscopy is not a painless procedure. But the use of modern equipment, thin probes, as well as the appropriate practical skills of the doctor in coordination with the patient, allow to reduce discomfort during the procedure. If the patient wishes, as well as according to medical indications, an endoscopic examination can be performed under general anesthesia.