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-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 undergoing gastroscopy in Israeli clinics include 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, as well as various types of stomach neoplasms.

Additionally, gastroscopy may 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);
• extracting a foreign body.

Like other therapeutic-diagnostic procedures, gastroscopy has a number of contraindications. The examination is categorically contraindicated in the following conditions:

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

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

How is gastroscopy performed?

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

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 prior to its start;
• on the day of the gastroscopy, smoking should be avoided;
• in most cases, discontinuation of anticoagulants is recommended.

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 the introduction of microsurgical instruments and medications. Using the instruments introduced through the channel, neoplasms can be removed, and samples of pathologically altered tissues can be taken for further laboratory histological analysis (biopsy).

For the procedure, the patient lies on their side, and a special bite block is placed in the mouth to secure it, 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 physician can view 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, the person does not experience discomfort and wakes up after it is completed. Medical sedation differs from general anesthesia in that it allows for quick, light awakening and absence of side effects.

After the procedure, the physician carefully removes the gastroscope. Then, a medication that is an analogue of the hormone normally produced in the body after adequate rest is administered to the patient. This normalizes the patient's condition; 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 patients are allowed to leave the clinic afterward. It is important to remember that after medical sedation, one should not 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 execution of surgical procedures during the examination.
• Comfortable conditions for undergoing the procedure.
• Affordable prices.