Transnasal gastroscopy is no longer “scary” for you

  At present, gastroscopy is still the most accurate method to diagnose esophageal, gastric and duodenal diseases. When it comes to gastroscopy, people always think of the traditional examination is through the mouth, the diameter of gastroscope is about 10 mm, due to the thicker diameter of the tube, through the mouth into the throat irritation, so patients with more sensitive throat, do gastroscopy will have nausea and other reactions.  Recently, the endoscopy room of our gastroenterology department took the lead in introducing the nasogastroscopy technology, which inserts the endoscope from the nasal cavity with a diameter of only 5.9 mm, and because of the soft front end and thin caliber, it is less irritating to patients and has a slight sensation. In addition, the transnasal gastroscopy can be performed while the patient is sitting and can talk, which seems more humane.  The “transnasal gastroscope”, also known as the “ultra-fine gastroscope”, is characterized by an ultra-fine mirror (0.59 mm in diameter), which is one-half the size of an ordinary gastroscope, and a very thin and soft nasogastroscope diameter, which reduces the irritation of the throat by entering the digestive tract through the nasal cavity and can greatly It reduces the discomfort and pain of the patient during the gastroscopy. Moreover, local anesthesia of the nasal mucosa before insertion into the nasal cavity can make the patient feel no nasal discomfort.  It can be said that transnasal gastroscopy is a “comfort gastroscopy” technique that is close to painless gastroscopy. In addition, patients can talk with the physician during the examination, so that the examination process can be completed in a relaxed and pleasant environment. Because of the new electro-optical technology, the observation effect of transnasal gastroscopy is no different from that of ordinary gastroscopy, but because the patient is in less pain, the physician can have time to observe the lesions in the stomach more carefully, and can also perform mucosal staining or tissue pathological examination like ordinary gastroscopy.  The indications for transnasal gastroscopy are basically the same as those for conventional gastroscopy, and are particularly suitable for elderly and frail patients, children, patients with critical emergencies and poor cardiopulmonary function. Transnasal gastroscopy is also the best choice for patients with upper gastrointestinal strictures, coma and other difficulties in accessing the scope through the mouth.  The technology of gastroscopy is developing, and the previously carried out anesthesia painless gastroscopy allows patients to complete the gastroscopy operation unconsciously, but anesthesia gastroscopy requires the presence of an anesthesiologist to cooperate, and patients of advanced age and with cardiovascular disease are not suitable for anesthesia gastroscopy. Now this new technology of nasogastroscopy will give patients who are afraid of gastroscopy another option. Although the complications of transnasal gastroscopy are few, it is not suitable for everyone.