Gastroscopy is a procedure that examines the lining of the oesophagus, stomach and part of the duodenum (part of the small intestine), and is therefore able to diagnose diseases of the oesophagus and stomach.
This procedure uses a highly advanced flexible tube called the gastroscope. The gastroscopy has a light source and a tiny high-definition video camera attached at its end.
The doctor will insert this tube through your mouth and guide it down your oesophagus into your stomach and then into the duodenum. You will be given some drugs to make you sleep and hence you will be quite comfortable during the procedure. You may not even be aware of the procedure.
As the doctor inserts in the gastroscopy, he will be watching a monitor. The images from the camera are transmitted and magnified onto a hi-definition monitor. This allows the doctor to see the inside of your oesophagus and stomach, including very small abnormalities due to the magnification.
Besides diagnosing diseases, the gastroscope can be used for treating certain problems.
Some of the common symptoms or problems that will cause the doctor to recommend a gastroscopy includes:
Based on the Ministry of Health (Singapore) historical transacted billsizes and fee benchmark, for a standard gastroscopy with no added procedures like polyp removal:
However, other factors that can affect the final bill includes your insurance plan and coverage for Co-payments and Deductibles as well as Medisave withdrawals.
This procedure is a Medisave claimable procedure if there is medical justification. The Medisave withdrawal limit for a standard gastroscopy performed as a Day Surgery procedure is S$1250.
Gastroscopy is a very safe procedure. Nonetheless, although very rare, complications can occur. The overall complication rate is about 1 in 1000 patients
The estimated cost for a standard diagnostic gastroscopy is divided into 2 components
For Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, Medisave may be used to pay part of or all of the bill (conditions apply). As for patients wishing to claim from their health insurance policies, it is best to enquire with your insurance agents first.
We have a detailed write-up on the cost of endoscopy in Singapore on our website.
A gastroscopy evaluates the inner linings of the oesophagus, stomach, and first portion of the small intestine (known as the duodenum).
If biopsies (samples of tissue) were taken during the gastroscopy, the results will take between 3-5 working days.
During a gastroscopy, the patient will usually be sedated.
During the gastroscopy, an inspection of the throat area is usually done as well. However, if one would like to have a thorough examination of the throat, a detailed assessment by an ENT (Ear Nose & Throat) Specialist is preferred.
A gastroscopy will generally reach the second part of the duodenum.
There is usually no food restriction after a gastroscopy as long as the patient is fully awake from the sedation.
Gastroscopy may be recommended when a patient has the following symptoms:
A gastroscopy and a colonoscopy can be done in sequence in the same sitting (during the same sedation episode).
Colorectal & General Surgeon
Upper Gastrointestinal, Bariatric & General Surgeon
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Our clinics will be closed from 16 – 18 Feb for CNY
Our clinic at Mt Alvernia Medical Centre A will be relocating from #06-05 to #03-03 (within the same building) on Friday, 26 Sep afternoon.
Our telephone line 6353 4855 will be temporarily unavailable from 12:00pm – 6:00pm on 26 September. During this period, you may reach out to our other clinics for assistance:
We will begin operations at our new premises (#03-03) from Tuesday, 30 Sep onwards.
We look forward to serving you at our new clinic!
Nexus Surgical clinics at Mt Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Gleneagles Medical Centre, Parkway East Medical Centre and Mt Alvernia Medical Centre will be closed on 28 January 2025 for Lunar New Year celebrations, while our clinic at Mt Elizabeth Orchard Medical Centre remains open from 0900-1300 hours on 28 January 2025.
Please leave a message in our voice mails and we will respond to you as soon as we can when we resume our clinics on 31 January 2025. If you require any urgent assistance, kindly go to the Urgent Care Centre of any hospitals or contact your doctor through the Emergency Answering Service. Our team at Nexus Surgical would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a Happy & Prosperous Lunar New Year with good health in the Year of the Snake!
Nexus Surgical will be away from 17 to 20 October 2024 for our Annual Company Retreat. The aim of our retreat is to review and to recharge, so that we may serve you better.
Our clinics at Mount Elizabeth Orchard, Mount Elizabeth Novena, Mount Alvernia and Parkway East hospitals will therefore be closed during this period. In the meantime, if you require any urgent assistance, kindly contact us through our Answering Service at +65 6333 5550.
We thank you for your understanding and patience for any inconvenience.
