Expense: NT$ 1,800
Gastroscope is a very effective and safe procedure for diagnosis and treatment,
which can only be performed by well-trained physicians. For people with upper
abdominal discomfort and suspect to have problems or pathological changes in
esophagus, stomach and duodenum can have this examination. For instance, for
patients:
a. when upper adnominal discomfort and pain are not relieved after taking medicine
and suspected to have peptic ulcer, stomach tumor or other pathological changes.
b. when having dysphagia or burning pain in chest and suspected with esophageal
tumor or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
c. when having dark-colored stools or vomits and suspected to have upper digestive
tract bleeding, can be treated through gastroscope diagnosis and homeostasis to
avoid surgeries.
d. when suspected local lesion is found through upper digestive tract barium
examination, like polyp or tumor, can have biopsy or resection through
gastroscope.
e. when subtotal gastrectomy is performed due to ulcer bleeding or tumor and
require follow-up tracking.
f. when cirrhosis patients have assessment and esophageal varices treatment.
Gastroscope examination is applicable to the medical conditions mentioned
above. However, the patient is not suitable to take the examination if unable to
cooperate, unconscious, have difficulty in breathing or unstable blood pressure.
There should be no food intake 6~8 hours prior to the examination, which is
usually around midnight. Patient may drink water when feeling thirsty. Patient may
still take the medication on the day, such as medicine for high blood pressure, but it
is recommended to take it after the examination. On the other hand, diabetic
patients should not take hypoglycemic drugs or insulin injection to avoid low blood
sugar. Please also prepare sweetened water for drinking in the case of low blood
sugar.
After the consent form is signed, the patient will receive local anesthesia on the
orpharynx to ease the discomfort and intramuscular injection to reduce digestion
and saliva secretion. The patient will also take liquid medicine to reduce the air
within the stomach. When these preparations are all set, the examination can then
be performed.
Please take out any removable denture before the examination. The patient
should lie in a left lateral position with mouth guard placed between the teeth and
breath slowly while the doctor performs the examination.