A gastroscopy is necessary when there is a reason to suspect a disease of the oesophagus, the stomach or the first part of the small intestine. Gastroscopies enable detecting, for example, tumors in these areas at an early stage.
Book a gastroscopy appointment
You can book an appointment with a specialist in gastroscopy and gastrointestinal surgery by calling our bookings line at +358 10 773 2010, where our experienced nurses will answer the phone.
You can also leave us a contact request, and our nurses will call you back as soon as possible.
You do not need a referral to book an appointment with a gastrointestinal surgeon. You can also book an endoscopy without a referral, but it is recommended that you first see a doctor to assess the need for an endoscopy.
Gastroscopy may be indicated for reasons including the following:
- Upper abdominal pain
- Eating-related symptoms
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Difficulty swallowing
- Vomiting blood
- Unintended weight loss
- Anaemia
- Unexplained chest pain
- Persistent or recurrent heartburn
- Suspected coeliac disease
- The endoscopy is performed by an experienced gastrointestinal surgeon
Endoscopies are performed by an experienced gastrointestinal surgeon
At Docrates, endoscopies (gastroscopy and colonoscopy) are performed by Jorma Heiskanen, an experienced specialist in gastrointestinal surgery. The team also includes a skilled endoscopy nurse.
New generation endoscopy equipment
The new generation endoscopy equipment has been acquired by Docrates for gastro- and colonoscopies, featuring Olympus’ state-of-the-art EVIS X1 endoscopy system equipped with artificial intelligence. This system includes innovations supporting observation, diagnosis and procedures, such as a filter that highlights tissue surface structure and reveals the location of blood vessels. The newest scope models provide an incredibly detailed image, scaling the scope image to 4K resolution.
Furthermore, these new scopes enable a less painful and thus more comfortable examination.
How to prepare for a gastroscopy
The examination can only be performed on an empty stomach. You should not eat solid food for six hours before the examination and not drink for two hours before the examination. You will receive detailed instructions on how to prepare for the examination from our nurse, both verbally and in writing.
How the examination is performed
Modern equipment makes the examination more comfortable
Docrates’ specialists use modern and precise AI-enhanced equipment. A gastroscopy is performed with a thin and flexible tube scope that is equipped with a camera. The scope is taken to the oesophagus via the mouth and throat, proceeding to the stomach and duodenum. The scope view is observed on a monitor. It is possible to take samples during the procedure.
The examination takes about five minutes. Anaesthetic fluid is often sprayed in the patient’s pharynx before the examination. This reduces gagging and sensations in the throat. It is also possible to receive pre-medication before the examination to relieve tension and fear. Please let us know when you book the appointment if you wish to receive pre-medication. In this case, you should arrive 30 minutes before the examination, and it is a good idea to have someone accompany you.
After gastroscopy
After the gastroscopy, you will be able to go home immediately. If necessary, our hospital’s cosy and quiet resting facilities offer the opportunity for peaceful recovery after the examination. You may eat and drink normally after the throat anaesthesia has worn off (in about 30 minutes).
If signs of cancer are detected in the endoscopy, our patients always have the opportunity to get an appointment with a Docrates oncologist or gastrointestinal surgeon without delay.
It can also be helpful to book an appointment with a Docrates dietitian. With them, you can talk about a diet that will help you maintain or improve your gut health and reduce your risk of cancer.
The price of gastroscopy and appointments
The price of a gastroscopy is €750 + an outpatient fee of €32. The price includes oral pre-medication, the endoscopy procedure, the examination of the sample and the statement.
APPOINTMENTS
You can book an appointment with a gastrointestinal surgeon to investigate various abdominal and/or intestinal symptoms or for a follow-up or interpretation of results, for example.
- Gastrointestinal surgeon’s consultation 30 min €250
- Appointment with a gastrointestinal surgeon 45 min €347
For more information about the examination and appointments with a gastrointestinal surgeon, please call our bookings line at +358 10 773 2010.
