Gastroscopy in Israel — a painless method for accurate diagnosis of stomach and intestinal diseases

Gastroscopy is performed not only for diagnostic purposes but also for therapeutic ones, allowing for the removal of benign neoplasms, stopping bleeding, and extracting foreign objects. Thus, this minimally invasive therapeutic and diagnostic method provides an opportunity to avoid surgical intervention. If necessary, a biopsy can also be performed during the gastroscopic examination. The undeniable advantages of performing gastroscopy in Israeli clinics are exceptional accuracy and moderate cost of the procedure, which, according to patient reviews, is significantly lower than in Western Europe and the USA.

When is gastroscopy prescribed

The procedure is prescribed to patients who have been experiencing the following painful symptoms for an extended period:

• acute stomach pain;
• nausea, vomiting episodes;
• frequent heartburn;
• sensation of fullness even after consuming a small amount of food;
• discomfort shortly after eating;
• loss of appetite;
• painful swallowing, other difficulties in swallowing;
• noticeable weight loss;
• anemia.

Such symptoms are characteristic of peptic ulcer disease of the stomach and duodenum, chronic gastritis and duodenitis, and neoplasms of various types in the stomach.

Additionally, gastroscopy can be considered a therapeutic procedure in the following cases:

• removal of localized benign neoplasms (polyps) on the mucosa;
• stopping bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract;
• administering medication directly to the affected area (targeted therapy);
• removal of a foreign body.

Like other therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, gastroscopy has a number of contraindications. It is strictly contraindicated to perform the examination in the following pathologies:

• acute and chronic forms of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases (atherosclerosis, heart failure, a heart attack suffered by the patient less than six months ago, etc.);
• acute form of cerebrovascular accident, stroke;
• significant decrease in blood clotting;
• certain thyroid diseases;
• gastric stenosis (upper part);
• mental disorders.

Relative contraindications include colds and other infectious diseases, enlargement of cervical lymph nodes.

How gastroscopy is performed

Gastroscopy is considered a minimally invasive procedure with a high degree of informativeness. This diagnostic method has long been routine; however, to obtain the most accurate results, it must be performed by a highly qualified, experienced doctor.

Before the procedure, the patient must follow these rules:

• the last meal is allowed at least 6 hours before the gastroscopy (in some cases, the doctor prescribes a special diet or prolonged fasting);
• tea, juices, and other drinks are prohibited for 7-8 hours before the procedure, and even still water is excluded 3 hours before it begins;
• on the day of the gastroscopy, smoking should be avoided;
• in most cases, it is recommended to stop taking anticoagulants.

Gastroscopy in Israel, reviews of which are published on the websites of leading clinics, is performed using a gastroscope, which is a flexible thin tube equipped with a miniature video camera and a light source, with a diameter of 8-9 millimeters. The device has a special channel designed for introducing microsurgical instruments and medications. Using the instruments introduced through the channel, neoplasms are removed, and samples of pathologically altered tissues are taken for further laboratory histological analysis (biopsy).

To perform the procedure, the patient lies on their side, and a special bite block is placed in the oral cavity for fixation, after which the gastroscope is inserted through the mouth into the esophagus and slowly advanced to the stomach. To facilitate the advancement of the tube, the patient is asked to swallow. The image captured by the video camera is transmitted to a monitor, where the doctor can see it. If suspicious areas of the mucosa are detected, the specialist may perform a biopsy. Surgical actions are carried out using manipulators equipped on the gastroscope.

In some cases, it is sufficient to treat the patient's oral cavity and throat with an anesthetic aerosol for the gastroscopy. Local anesthesia prevents pain and other discomfort during the insertion of the device. Anesthesia also helps suppress the gag reflex. In Israeli clinics, most patients are sedated with sedative medications to ease the procedure. During gastroscopy, a person does not experience discomfort and wakes up after it is completed. Medical sedation differs from general anesthesia in that it allows for quick and light awakening without side effects.

After the procedure, the doctor carefully removes the gastroscope. Then, a medication that is an analogue of the hormone normally produced in the body after a full rest is administered to the patient. Thus, the patient's condition normalizes; however, after waking up, it is recommended to rest for half an hour. In Israeli medical centers, gastroscopy is performed on an outpatient basis, and after it, the patient is allowed to leave the clinic. It should be remembered that after medical sedation, it is not advisable to drive a car, perform precise operations, or consume alcoholic beverages for a day.

How much does gastroscopy cost

Advantages of gastroscopy in Israel

• Procedure performed by experienced, highly qualified doctors.
• Maximum accuracy of diagnostic results.
• Professional conduct of surgical procedures during the examination.
• Comfortable conditions for undergoing the procedure.
• Affordable prices.