Complications and risks of gastroscopy | Procedure of a gastroscopy

Complications and risks of gastroscopy

Like any more or less invasive procedure, gastroscopy is not free of complications. Often patients report after the examination an unpleasant, numb feeling in the area of the throat. Some also experience hoarseness and a coughing sensation.

These after-effects are relatively common, but do not require any special therapy and usually disappear on their own. Due to the air used during the examination, a feeling of fullness, flatulence or belching may also occur. These symptoms also usually disappear within a few hours.

Very rarely, more serious side effects may also occur during a gastroscopy. These may include cardiac arrhythmia as well as injuries to the stomach wall up to puncture (perforation), bleeding and the danger of inhaling saliva or other fluids (aspiration). In the worst case, the latter can develop into pneumonia, which must then be treated separately. As with any procedure, every patient undergoing gastroscopy should therefore be monitored for pulse rate and oxygen saturation in the blood.

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