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About us

The Specialist Gastroenterology Diagnostic Center (the Center) was founded in 1998, building on the work of Dr. Orest Hnidec’s Private Gastroenterology Practice established in 1983. The Center’s Staff is formed of qualified medical specialists from the Gastroenterology Clinic; the Medical University of Białystok; the Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology - Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Interior in Białystok; the Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine of the Regional Hospital in Białystok, II Department of General Surgery – Medical University of Białystok; Department of Surgery – Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Interior in Białystok. All staff members have many years of certified experience, and are dedicated to continuous learning in their areas of expertise.

 

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Endoscopy

Doctor gastroenterologist

Gastroscopy (EDG)

What is it?

Gastroscopy (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EDG) is a diagnostic endoscopic procedure of the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, and duodenum) using an endoscope – a flexible instrument which enables the doctor to examine the interior of a hollow organ. Modern endoscopes include a digital camera mounted on the tip of the device, providing live wide-angle full-color imaging for analysis and recording. When needed, the endoscope can also be equipped with biopsy forceps and snares, enabling the doctor to collect samples used in histopathological examination or Helicobacter pylori tests (urease test). Both the examination and sample collection procedures are completely painless. The gagging reflex sometimes occurring during the procedure can be typically controlled by deep, slow nasal breathing.

Exam purpose – diagnosis and treatment

Gastroscopy allows for an accurate assessment of the condition of the mucous membrane in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The examination includes the assessment of the elasticity and mobility of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum walls, and mucosal folds; the condition of blood vessels; peristalsis activity; and a careful evaluation of the contents and quantity of the stomach liquid.

Diagnostic gastroscopy is a safe medical procedure and can be performed in hospitals and outpatient units alike. The most common cause for performing this procedure is to diagnose the gastrointestinal tract for possible disorders, including:

  • peptic ulcer disease (PUD)
  • esophagitis, gastritis, duodenitis
  • bacterial, viral, and fungal diseases
  • changes caused by acid/alkaline reactions, bile, and prolonged use of drugs
  • gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • suspected anemia
  • locating sources of internal bleeding
  • diagnosis and exclusion of malignancies (mild and aggressive) – in some cases the test allows for early detection
  • assessment of e.g.: esophageal varices (most often the consequence of portal hypertension, e.g. in cirrhosis), reflux oesophagitis, and the source of bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. This assessment can substantially affect treatment.
  • Gastroscopy also allows for the removal of foreign objects (swallowed or erroneously left after surgical procedures, e.g. sutures); polypectomy and mocosectomy; stopping of bleeding; gastric banding and the treatment of esophageal varices.

 

When to have gastroscopy?

Gastroscopy can be advised in many cases. The examination should be performed in all patients over 45 and suffering from pain in the abdomen. In younger patients the examination should be performed in order to verify doctor’s diagnosis or in the cases when alarming symptoms occur (weight loss, anemia, difficulty swallowing, possible bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract – vomiting blood or vomit resembling coffee grounds, blood in the stool or coffee-grounds-type stool).

Other symptoms requiring gastroscopy include: dyspeptic symptoms (pain and discomfort in the upper abdomen) lasting longer than two months, also in patients receiving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; unidentified chest pains; recurring symptoms indicating gastroesophageal reflux disease; pains in the upper abdomen occurring during rest/at night; and the likelihood of coeliac disease.

We offer screening and control examinations for patients who are at an increased risk of developing cancer (people suffering from prolonged gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, pernicious anemia in atrophic gastritis, or earlier gastrectomy). In the cases where a peptic ulcer has been identified a Helicobacter pylori tests (urease test) is advised, with the post-eradication screening occurring no sooner than four weeks after the antibiotic therapy.

 

Contraindications of gastroscopy

Gastroscopy is a safe, painless, and short (usually several minutes) examination procedure, putting little to no strain on the patient.
However, several contraindications exist, including:

  • recent heart attack
  • acute respiratory failure
  • hypotension and shock
  • uncontrolled hypertension
  • lack of cooperation from the patient

Pregnancy is not a contraindication to gastroscopy, but the need for the procedure should be considered carefully.

Preparing for gastroscopy

If the test is to be made ​​before 14.00, the patient should fast before arriving to the Office; if it is schedule after 14.00, the patient can eat a light meal, such as yogurt + a slice of bread and tea no later than 6 hours before the test.

Who does gastroscopy?

Gastroscopy is performed by an experienced physician with the assistance of a nurse.

Other diagnostic methods

cannot replace gastroscopy, but may act as complementary diagnostic tests, helping in differentiating between various medical disorders.

Anesthesia (sedation)

In order to increase the comfort during the examination procedure one of four types of anesthesia can be used:

  • local anesthesia of the upper GI tract with lidocaine throat spray (most common approach)
  • minimal sedation intravenous, intramuscular or oral administration of a sedative and analgesic
  • deeper sedation with analgesia intravenous, intramuscular and oral administration of anesthetic and analgesic
  • complete sedation (performed by an anesthetist) with the monitoring of basic physiological parameters (heart rate, breathing, blood pressure)

Examination procedure

The patient lies on his/her left side, with the upper body slightly elevated. Dentures should be removed before the test. A plastic mouthpiece is applied in order to protect the teeth and gums. The patient is instructed to move the tongue forward, while the doctor inserts the dip of the gastroscope and asks the patient to swallow in order to help move the tube along. Guided by the live image coming from the endoscope, the device is slowly moved through the esophagus into the stomach and duodenum.

Sigmoidoscopy

Similar to colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy is an endoscopic examination of the colon. The principle behind the test remains the same, with the difference lying in the assessment of the intestine (usually the left side of the colon is examined). Accordingly, the duration of the test is shorter, and it is normally possible to prepare the patient by performing two enemas – one in the evening before sigmoidoscopy and one in the morning before the procedure. Sometimes it is necessary to use laxatives, comparable to those used in colonoscopy. The medical practitioner determines the exact preparation approach.

 

Colonoscopy

What is it?

Colonoscopy is the endoscopic examination of the lower gastrointestinal tract (large intestine) with an endoscope – a flexible instrument which enables the doctor to examine the interior of a hollow organ. In the case of colonoscopy the endoscope is referred to as a colonoscope. The flexible device is inserted through the anus and moved slowly through the rectum into the colon. If necessary, it is also possible to examine the final section of the small intestine (terminal ileum). Modern colonoscopes include a digital camera mounted on the tip of the device, providing live wide-angle full-color imaging for analysis and recording. When needed, the device can also be equipped with biopsy forceps and snares, enabling the doctor to collect samples used in histopatological examination. The sample collection procedure is completely painless.

Colonoscopy procedure

Colonoscopy is usually well tolerated by patients. The examination may be accompanied by a feeling of bloating in the abdomen. There may be a stronger short-term pain during the cornering of the intestine by the colonoscope. During the procedure, the patient lies on his/her left side first, and is later asked by the doctor to change the position. The doctor slowly inserts the colonoscope into the bowel, leading it to the final section of the colon or – when needed – the small intestine, and then proceeds to withdraw the device, carefully evaluating the appearance and shape of the colon and looking for any abnormalities. The test duration varies depending on the anatomical conditions, patient’s response and abnormalities discovered. On average, it takes 15 to 30 minutes.

The aims of the examination include:

prevention, diagnosis and endoscopic treatment

The indications for colonoscopy include:

  • unexplained anemia
  • suspected colorectal cancer
  • diarrhea of unknown cause
  • inflammatory bower disease – diagnosis and monitoring
  • screening of healthy population against polyps and cancer
  • blood in the stool or fecal occult blood
  • weight loss
  • lack of appetite with no obvious cause
  • persistent urge to have bowel movement or involuntary bowel movement
  • pain in the lower abdomen
  • irregular bowel movement
  • changes in stool (narrow, pencil-like stool)

 

Therapeutic colonoscopy allows for:

Polyp is any an abnormal growth of tissue projecting from a mucous membrane. Colon polyps can be of malignant and non-malignant type, appearing in clusters or individually. The most common type of polyp present in adult patients is the neoplastic type (adenoma). The probability of a malignant growth depends on the type and size of the adenoma (tubular, tubulovillous, villous). When smaller they seldom turn malignant, however polyps over 2cm in size possess almost 50% probability of becoming malignant. The type of polyp is always determined by the histopathologist. Adenomas of the colon can occur at any age, but a marked increase in the incidence appears in patients over 30. The most common location - in the rectum and sigmoid colon. Polyps and also sometimes well-developed colon tumors usually do not give any problems, and thus are harder to detect. If, however, there are problems (as described above), which may suggest colon changes, it is better to perform a colonoscopy examination rather than ignore early warning signs. All polyps below 10 mm in diameter can and should be removed during outpatient diagnostic tests and examined by a histopathologist, assessing the type of polyp and possible severity of the tumor. Endoscopic removal of polyps is a painless procedure.

Preparing for colonoscopy

several products intended for preparing before colonoscopy are available on the market. Our experience shows that the most effective one is FORTRANS.

Preparing for colonoscopy using FORTRANS

  • starting from about a week before the examination, please refrain from eating fruits with seeds, especially smaller (grapes, kiwi, strawberries, apples) – those can remain in the colon for a longer period and may block the aspirator during the removal of residual liquids during the test, forcing to doctor to abort the procedure.
  • the intestine has to be well cleansed, allowing for better imagining during the examination.
  • two days before the test, switch to a liquid diet (e.g. mixed soup).
  • Fortrans - 1 pack contains 4 bags. Each bag should be dissolved in 1 liter of boiled or mineral water, or still water (resulting in a total of 4 liters of fluid). Taste can be improved by adding lemon juice or grapefruit juice.
  • one day before the examination, starting from approximately 18:00 begin taking the laxative (described above), drinking a glass every 15 minutes. If you are unable to drink 4 liters the day before the examination, the remaining part should be drunk in the morning on the day of the test.

Taking medication while preparing for colonoscopy:

  • Staring one week before the procedure refrain from taking any drugs that inhibit blood clotting (Acard, Polocard, Polopiryna, etc.).
  • In the case of diabetes, or taking other anticoagulants (e.g. Sintrom) preparation for colonoscopy should include consulting with your doctor (who may recommend temporarily switching to alternative products).
  • Regardless of the time of the test you should take your regular medication in the morning (cardiac, agents, etc.) with water.

 Who does colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is performed by an experienced physician with the assistance of a nurse.

Anesthesia (sedation)

In order to increase the comfort during the examination procedure one of four types of anesthesia can be used:

  • Local anesthesia of the rectal tract with lidocaine gel
  • Minimal sedation (intravenous, intramuscular or oral administration of a sedative and analgesic)
  • Deeper sedation with analgesia (intravenous, intramuscular and oral administration of anesthetic and analgesic)
  • Complete sedation (performed by an anesthetist) with the monitoring of basic physiological parameters (heart rate, breathing, blood pressure)