Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is an examination of the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of your small intestine with a small camera inserted down the throat.

You will be given a sedative and a pain killer. A local numbing medicine may be sprayed into your mouth to suppress the need to cough or gag when the endoscope is inserted. A mouth guard will be inserted to protect your teeth.

In most cases, an IV line will be inserted into your arm to administer medications during the procedure. You will be instructed to lie on your left side. After the sedatives have taken effect, the scope will be advanced to the stomach. Air will be introduced through the endoscope to enhance viewing. The lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine is examined and small biopsies may be obtained. Biopsies are tissue samples that are reviewed under the microscope.

The test lasts about 5 to 20 minutes.

Fasting is required overnight (6 to 12 hours before the test). An informed consent form must be signed. You may be told to stop aspirin and other blood-thinning medications for several days before the test.

This test is helpful in determining the cause of abdominal pain, the cause of difficulty swallowing, the cause of bleeding in your stomach, and the presence of tumors or ulcers. The test may also be used to obtain a tissue specimen for biopsy.

There is a small chance of perforation (hole) of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus; There is also a small risk of bleeding at the biopsy site. A patient could have an adverse reaction to the numbing medicine, medication, or tranquilizer. This reaction could cause a slow heart rate, excessive sweating, low blood pressure, slow breathing, or a spasm of your voicebox.

If you develop black or bloody stools, bloody vomit, difficulty swallowing, fever or pain after the test, contact the doctor immediately.