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Gastroscopy is one of the most widely used diagnostic procedures in modern medicine. It plays a critical role in detecting stomach-related conditions early, especially gastric cancer. So, when should a gastroscopy be performed? What are the advantages and limitations of each method? Let H PLUS International Medical Center guide you through the essential information in this article.
What is gastroscopy?
Gastroscopy is a medical procedure in which a flexible endoscope is inserted into the upper gastrointestinal tract for examination. The scope passes through the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. A miniature camera located at the tip of the endoscope captures real-time images of the mucosal lining and any abnormal findings along the way.
Although generally considered a safe procedure, gastroscopy may still carry certain risks such as minor mucosal abrasions, bleeding, infection, or in rare cases, perforation.
When is gastroscopy necessary?
Doctors typically recommend gastroscopy in the following situations:
Patients with gastrointestinal symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, acid reflux, bloating, upper abdominal pain, poor appetite, black stools, or frequent nausea and vomiting.
When there is a need to perform specific therapeutic procedures such as foreign body removal, polyp resection, bleeding control, or treatment of esophageal varices and strictures.
Individuals with high risk factors for gastrointestinal diseases, including smokers, those with obesity, chronic peptic ulcer disease, or a family history of gastrointestinal cancers.
Even individuals without any gastrointestinal symptoms or medical history may consider routine gastroscopy as part of preventive health screening. This approach helps identify early-stage diseases before symptoms appear.
Although gastroscopy is a safe and effective procedure, it may not be appropriate for certain individuals such as those with gastrointestinal perforation, severe heart or respiratory disease, recent food intake, or chemical burns in the digestive tract.
What are the current types of gastroscopy?
Currently, three types of gastroscopy are widely used in clinical practice: transnasal gastroscopy, transoral gastroscopy, and capsule endoscopy. Depending on the patient’s condition and personal preferences, the physician will determine the most suitable method.
Transnasal gastroscopy
Before the procedure, local anesthesia is applied to the nasal passage. A thin, flexible endoscope is inserted through the nose and guided through the throat to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
This method is relatively quick, causes minimal discomfort or gagging, and is generally well tolerated. However, it may not be suitable for patients with narrow nasal passages or active nasal conditions.
Transoral gastroscopy
In this traditional method, the endoscope is inserted through the mouth and guided down the esophagus to reach the stomach and beyond. It is widely appreciated for its diagnostic accuracy and straightforward procedure.
However, the endoscope used is larger in diameter compared to the transnasal type, which may cause more discomfort or gagging for some patients. To minimize these effects, patients can opt for painless gastroscopy under sedation, which ensures greater comfort and enables the physician to perform necessary interventions with ease.
Capsule endoscopy
This is a more advanced and non-invasive form of gastroscopy. A tiny, high-resolution camera is embedded within a swallowable capsule that takes wide-angle images throughout the digestive tract.
Once swallowed, the capsule travels naturally through the gastrointestinal system over the course of 8 to 12 hours. The images captured are transmitted to an external recording device and analyzed by the physician. The capsule is excreted through stool after completing the examination.
Although capsule endoscopy eliminates many discomforts of traditional methods, it remains less commonly used due to its higher cost.
H PLUS International Medical Center – A Premier Destination for Gastroscopy
The Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center at H PLUS International Medical Center is proud to offer world-class diagnostic services in a modern, patient-centric environment. With a team of highly experienced physicians, including Korean specialists trained in advanced techniques, H PLUS ensures accurate and timely diagnosis for optimal treatment outcomes.
The center is equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology such as the Olympus CV-1500 endoscopy system from Japan, capable of detecting gastrointestinal diseases and early-stage cancer with diagnostic accuracy up to 99.3%.
At H PLUS, patients are welcomed into a luxurious and comfortable clinical environment designed to match international 5-star standards. We believe that healthcare is not just about treatment, but about the entire experience—from personalized care to transparent pricing, providing patients with complete peace of mind.
Our professional support team is always ready to assist with appointment scheduling, procedure guidance, and post-examination follow-up. For inquiries and bookings, please contact our hotline at +84 24 7306 9889.
H PLUS is the ideal destination for individuals seeking excellence in preventive care and digestive health management.
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