The research method used for the accurate diagnosis of diseases, examinations of the mucous membrane and the detection of inflammatory changes in the gastrointestinal tract with the help of a special apparatus - an endoscope (a flexible tube with fiber optics equipped with a special channel and the ability to place instruments for biopsy in it) is called gastric FGS. Decoding FGS sounds like "fibrogastroscopy" (from the Greek. "Stomach" and "watch", "watch"). This method of examining the gastrointestinal tract is the most reliable, fast (performed under local anesthesia for several minutes) and allows you to establish an accurate diagnosis, and if necessary, enables biopsy (taking a tissue sample for a more detailed study in a bacteriological laboratory).
Indications for the examination of FGS
Recently, this method of research is used by doctors very actively. Examination of the stomach, FGS is ideal for this, it accurately answers all questions related to the digestive tract, from simple discomfort to symptoms that cause anxiety: bleeding, a constant decrease in hemoglobin, and suspicion of the presence of a foreign body.
How to prepare for FGS
Preparation for FGS is not particularly difficult. The main aspect for a good result is the presence of a positive psychological attitude of the patient and his full trust in the endoscopist. The doctor should be aware of all concomitant diseases of the patient and those medications that he is taking at a given time.
FGS - an examination that is performed on an empty stomach in a specially equipped office of a hospital or clinic. On the day of the procedure, it is forbidden to smoke, eat, drink and chew gum. A couple of days before the examination, it is advisable for the patient not to use products that are heavy for the stomach and cause gas formation (legumes, various dairy products, fish, meat). The last dinner on the eve of the examination day should be no later than 18 hours.
How is the FGS procedure technically
A prepared patient with a special local anesthetic is frozen in the larynx. After that, so that the jaw does not close during the procedure, he clamps a special rotary expander with his teeth, through which the endoscope will pass.
In a sitting position, the patient, under the guidance of a doctor, makes swallowing movements until the apparatus reaches the desired depth of the site being examined. After this, the patient is laid on his side and oxygen is introduced into the stomach under slight pressure (to straighten the walls). The doctor, examining the mucous membrane, can take an analysis of the contents of the stomach (gastric juice), remove the neoplasm, conduct treatment or perform a biopsy.
What the results of FGS show
Endoscopy is the only method by which at the earliest stage you can see the structural changes in the mucosa. The attending gastroenterologist, prescribing such a procedure, clarifies the diagnosis using additional methods for examining the patient's body. The results of gastric FGP will help confirm or deny the presence of diseases such as cancer of the stomach or esophagus, esophagitis, benign tumor, gastritis of high or low acidity, peptic ulcer, polyps, gastric dysfunction and other gastrointestinal ailments. Using FGS, you can control the dynamics of the treatment of the disease.
According to the results of a biopsy, we can talk about the essence of the processes occurring in the tissues of the body, about the presence of cancer cells or ordinary inflammation in them. Histological examination helps to detect pathologies in the early stages of development.
What to expect during the FGS
The very process of introducing the tube into the digestive tract can be accompanied by vomiting reflexes or regurgitation. This is unnecessary to be ashamed, because such a reaction is an indicator of a normally functioning organ. Such responses of the body to FGS arise due to air, which is pumped into the stomach using an endoscope and straightens its walls for a better view. The subsequent decoding of the FGS depends on this. The doctor thoroughly examines the mucous membrane and, if there is a need to remove the polyp, eliminates it, and if you need to take part of the material for a biopsy, it takes it completely painlessly.
Possible complications after FGS
The use of this serious diagnostic procedure has established itself in medical practice as one of the safest studies. Complications after FGS are reduced to zero. An endoscope is a very expensive reusable instrument, and before each manipulation it is processed according to medical standards, therefore infection with any disease or infection is excluded.
But, as you know, in medicine there is always a small percentage of complications from even the most harmless procedures. In this case, this indicator is very small and depends directly on the patient. The patient must correctly prepare physically and psychologically, and during the FGS accurately follow the recommendations of the endoscopist. Possible complications as a result of FGS are a perforation of the wall of the organ under investigation or a slight bleeding due to pinching off a small fraction of the wall of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum for biopsy.
After the procedure, the patient may feel some discomfort when swallowing. Normal state occurs within a day. A complete decoding of FGS and the necessary recommendations for adjusting nutrition in the first few days, the patient will be given immediately after the study.
What is the difference between FGS and other methods of examining the stomach
Each research method has features depending on the area being analyzed. Some names seem to be similar, but in practice the procedures are very different. The endoscopist doctor is well-versed in what shows FGS, and what - FGDS or EGDS. All these methods can be given one definition - fibrogastroscopy. Even if the endoscopist does FGS with an emphasis on the gastric cavity, he will still look at the duodenum, as is done with FGDS (fibrogastroduodenoscopy), and the esophagus, which is examined with endoscopic fibrosis (esophagogastroduodenoscopy). Also, when examining all sections of the gastrointestinal tract, the method of video gastroscopy can be used, during which video is recorded using an endoscopic camera.
Each patient should understand what the endoscopy procedure is, how important it is, and that it depends only on him whether he will be healthy or not.
This research method, due to its high efficiency and low probability of possible complications, is widely practiced and used in medical work. Deciphering FGS by experienced specialists will help to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.