Fibrogastroduodenoscopy is an extremely important but very unpleasant diagnostic procedure for the patient. Some people simply cannot pass it because of a pronounced gag reflex. For such patients, a real way out of the situation is to perform an HDG with anesthesia.
What is fibrogastroduodenoscopy?
This medical manipulation is a diagnostic procedure that makes it possible to more accurately determine the presence of pathological changes in the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. Currently, there are several methods for its implementation, one of which is FGDS with anesthesia.
Diagnostic Features
At present, fibrogastroduodenoscopy is used very widely. It is used to detect the following diseases:
- gastritis;
- peptic ulcer;
- esophagitis;
- duadenitis;
- GERD;
- diaphragmatic hernia;
- digestive system tumor diseases.
As for colonoscopy, it is used to detect structural changes in the intestinal tissues. Thanks to this technique, colitis, diverticulosis, polyps and tumor formations can be detected.
Indications and contraindications
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy should be performed in the following cases:
- Stomach ache.
- The presence of symptoms of disturbances in the digestive system (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, discomfort in the mouth of an unknown etiology).
- Sudden changes in taste preferences (for example, a sudden and long-lasting aversion to meat products).
- The need for cancer research.
- The presence of blood in the analysis of feces.
This procedure can also be carried out with a preventive purpose, for example, with prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
With regard to contraindications for the implementation of such a study, we are talking primarily about the general serious condition of the body and about obstruction for the fibroscope of the gastrointestinal tract.
When may anesthesia be required?
Methods based on the use of an endoscope are difficult not only for the doctor, but also for the patient. It is extremely rare that people carry them calmly. The real solution for many patients is to perform FGDS and colonoscopy under anesthesia. This technique is used in the following situations:
- The patient has a pronounced vomiting reflex.
- Conducting endoscopic research methods is necessary for the child.
- The procedure is performed according to emergency indications to a person with mental disorders or in situations of severe psychoemotional stress.
- At the request of a patient who does not want to experience discomfort.
Every year, the FCC and FGDS under anesthesia are becoming increasingly popular.
Advantages of the technique
The popularity of FGDS with anesthesia is constantly growing. This is due to the undoubted advantages that distinguish this technique from the classic version of endoscopic examination. The main ones are the following:
- lack of discomfort in the patient;
- the possibility of carrying out the procedure for patients, for one reason or another, unable to transfer the usual endoscopic examination.
Among the disadvantages of this procedure, it should be noted the reaction of the body after a general anesthesia. The latter can have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system.
Preparation for the procedure
First of all, a person should be examined by a therapist or cardiologist, who determines whether a person can undergo FGDS and colonoscopy under general anesthesia due to his state of health. After making a satisfactory decision on this issue, the patient is examined by the anesthetist. This specialist determines the specific substance and its dosage for optimal anesthesia. Of course, it is necessary to carry out other preparation measures: diet correction (diet), a complete rejection of alcohol and carbonated drinks, products that increase acidity and gas formation. The last meal should take place 12 hours before the start of the study, if the procedure is scheduled for the first half of the day, if for the second - at least 6 hours should pass from breakfast to manipulation. Products are allowed only easily digestible (porridge on the water, steamed chicken). In the morning before the FGS is allowed to brush your teeth. You can drink water 3 hours before the study. It is also necessary to give up smoking.
How does the procedure go?
If a person had FGDS under anesthesia, he, of course, did not experience discomfort during the study. For the doctor, such a procedure is also more preferable than the usual variant of endoscopic examination. This is due to the fact that the patient does not interfere with the necessary manipulations due to the resulting discomfort.
After a person is introduced into anesthesia, a rotary expander is installed, which eliminates the closure of teeth and trauma. In the future, the doctor introduces an endoscope and examines the mucous membrane of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. As for colonoscopy, thanks to it, it becomes possible to study in detail the morphological structure of the mucous membrane of the large and partially small intestine.
Procedure value
Currently, the benefits of esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy are very difficult to overestimate. These types of diagnostic studies can detect malignant neoplasms at the earliest stages of their development. In addition, they can be used not only to study the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, but also to stop small intragastric bleeding. As a result, FGDS with anesthesia can also perform therapeutic functions.
To date, in many highly developed countries of the world, for example, in Japan, endoscopy of the gastrointestinal tract is included in the list of mandatory preventive examinations. Due to this, in this state it was possible to significantly reduce the mortality rate from malignant neoplasms of the digestive system.
Where can I get a study?
Not all institutions have the technical ability to perform FGDS with anesthesia. This is due to the fact that for the conduct of this diagnostic study, special conditions must be created, namely:
- Availability of equipment for anesthesia.
- The staff should include an anesthetist-resuscitator.
- The patient should be constantly monitored immediately after the procedure and until the condition is completely stabilized.
That is why it is necessary to immediately clarify whether FGDS is done under general anesthesia in this institution. Today, such a procedure can be done in the following medical centers:
- Neomed (St. Petersburg).
- Primamed (Moscow).
- Asteri-Med (Moscow).
- Invitro (Moscow).
- Alfamed (Novosibirsk).
- Sanas (Vladivostok).
- "Medical Diagnostics" (Nizhny Novgorod).
In principle, finding a center engaged in conducting FGDS under anesthesia in St. Petersburg, Moscow or any other large city is not a problem. Things are more difficult with small towns. Their residents will have to go to the regional or district center to perform such a procedure.
Patient Reviews
Judging by the reviews, such a procedure is transferred much easier than the classic options for endoscopy. Unpleasant sensations after it is an order of magnitude less than under ordinary conditions. The patient may be disturbed by weakness and discomfort in the throat (after FGDS) or the anus (after colonoscopy). In addition, in the classical study, the probability of injury due to one's own activity is much higher. As a rule, after conducting FGDS under anesthesia, the reviews of patients (especially those who are familiar with the usual version of the procedure) are only the best.
Using local anesthesia
In cases where anesthesia is contraindicated for the patient, there is another option for the study. The patient is irrigated with a throat cavity with a local anesthetic and only then an endoscope is inserted. As a result, the patient practically does not experience unpleasant sensations and he is practically not bothered by the gag reflex. Today, this technique is increasingly replacing the classic version of endoscopy. Almost the only problem that can occur during such a procedure is the individual intolerance of the anesthetic used.
Digestive Imaging Options
Currently, in addition to the above, there are other methods for conducting a study of the gastrointestinal mucosa. We are talking about esophagogastroduodenoscopy using special capsules in which miniature cameras are located. The positive points when using this research option is the lack of the need to use a fiberscope. As a result, the patient does not experience any discomfort. The disadvantage of this research option is its lower information content than the classical methodology, and a high price.
What is the result?
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is a very valuable diagnostic tool. Thanks to the procedure, it is possible to diagnose a huge number of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Many types of pathology of the digestive system without the necessary treatment can lead to the development of dangerous complications.
After identifying a disease of the gastrointestinal tract, it is recommended to consult a gastroenterologist to prescribe a particular treatment option.