Transnasal gastroscopy + urease test (for Helicobacter Pylori) under local anaesthesia

Transnasal gastroscopy + urease test (for Helicobacter Pylori)

Transnasal gastroscopy is an endoscopic examination conducted to assess the upper gastrointestinal tract, i.e. the oesophagus (gullet), cardia of the stomach, the stomach itself, the pylorus and duodenum. The examination involves inspecting the internal structure of the upper gastrointestinal tract using an ultrathin endoscope introduced through the nose. Despite such small dimensions, it is possible to obtain high-quality images as well as performed the urease test (Helicobacter pylori) or collect specimens for culture or histopathological examinations (this service is provided at an additional charge).

This type of test is associated with a significantly lower level of stress and discomfort for the patient and is often the examination of choice for individuals who do not tolerate the standard transoral gastroscopy.Before the examination, the nostril is anaesthetised with a lignocaine solution and the physician applies a soft silicone catheter to make sure the nostril is unobstructed. It is extremely uncommon for the mucosa to get damaged, which may be manifested by small amounts of blood. Those are harmless symptoms that subside spontaneously.

Indications for gastroscopy

Gastroscopy is performed in the case of the following problems:

• nausea and vomiting
• heartburn or other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux
• difficulties in swelling the foods and beverages consumed
• a feeling of stomach fullness and persistent belching
• bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract (bloody vomiting, tarry stool and positive results of the occult blood test)
• suspected presence of foreign bodies
• anaemia
• iron deficiency
• body weight loss not related to a changed lifestyle or diet
• lack of appetite
• upper abdominal pain

Gastroscopy is also conducted in the diagnostics of coeliac disease. The examination is also indicated in the case of a family history of upper gastrointestinal cancer and certain surgeries (such as cholecystectomy, i.e. removal of the gall bladder).

Before the examination, the following rules apply:

• 6-8 HOURS WITHOUT EATING ,
• AT LEAST 4 HOURS WITHOUT DRINKING
• It is important not to smoke cigarettes/e-cigarettes for 1 hour before the examination.

The patient is required to bring along previous examination results of his/her digestive system for the examination.

All the modifications in medication use before the examination should be discussed with the referring physician.

On the examination day, cardiological medicines (including anti-hypertensive agents) should be taken early in the morning, according to medical recommendations, and swallowed with a small amount of water. patients on anti-diabetes medicines do not take any pill or insulin in the morning – the medicines can be taken to the centre and consumed after the examination. If so prescribed by the physician, the patient will be administered glucose in the centre (free of charge).

Anticoagulants should be taken as instructed by the cardiologist and any discontinuation of the therapy before the examination should also be consulted with him/her. In the event of a therapeutic examination, e.g. removal of such lesions as polyps (the service provided at an additional charge), it is necessary to consult the attending physician and discontinue anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines 4-5 days before the examination, or – if necessary – switch to a low-molecular-weight heparin therapy. In such cases, it is necessary to determine the blood group and coagulation parameters 1-2 days before the examination day.

After the examination: it is forbidden to eat and drink for 40 minutes.

The examination is carried out under local (lignocaine gel and spray).

If you wish to be examined under anaesthesia, please contact our hotline at 22 566 22 22 – it will then be necessary to consult, amongst others, the anaesthesiologist, and undergo the prescribed tests/examinations (if any).

• The examination is performed in adults.
• It is required to have a medical prescription for the examination. In accordance with legislation in force concerning endoscopic examination, the referral should include the names of drugs the patient takes; if there is no such information from the physician, the patient should bring along all the currently-used medicines.
• We do not register the examination in a video version.
• The price of the service includes transnasal gastroscopy and the urease test. If it is necessary to perform additional services, such as histopathological examination of the specimen collected from the suspected lesions, they are provided at an additional price, according to the current pricelist of Damian Medical Centre.
• During transnasal gastroscopy, it is not possible to collect any material for culture for Helicobacter pylori.
• In connection with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the cost of the test is increased by: additional payment for personal protective equipment and additional payment for medical materials, according to the current price list at the facility.