Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD; /ɪˌsÉ’fəɡoʊˌɡæstroÊŠËŒduːoÊŠdɪˈnÉ’skoÊŠpi/), also called by various other names, is a diagnostic endoscopic procedure that visualizes the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract down to the duodenum. It is considered a minimally invasive procedure since it does not require an incision into one of the major body cavities and does not require any significant recovery after the procedure (unless sedation or anesthesia has been used). However, a sore throat is common.

Medical uses

Gastroscopy or duodenoscopy is performed for a number of indications, one of the most common being in unexplained anemia where it is used to diagnose gastric or duodenal ulcers among other things.

Diagnostic

Unexplained anemia (usually along with a colonoscopy)
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding as evidenced by hematemesis or melena
Persistent dyspepsia in patients over the age of 45 years
Heartburn and chronic acid reflux – this can lead to a precancerous lesion called Barrett's esophagus
Persistent emesis
Dysphagia – difficulty in swallowing
Odynophagia – painful swallowing
Persistent nausea
IBD (inflammatory bowel diseases)

Surveillance

Surveillance of Barrett's esophagus
Surveillance of gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer
Occasionally after gastric surgery
Confirmation of diagnosis/biopsy
Abnormal barium swallow or barium meal
Confirmation of celiac disease (via biopsy)

Therapeutic
Treatment (banding/sclerotherapy) of esophageal varices
Injection therapy (e.g., epinephrine in bleeding lesions)
Cutting off of larger pieces of tissue with a snare device (e.g., polyps, endoscopic mucosal resection)
Application of cautery to tissues
Removal of foreign bodies (e.g., food) that have been ingested
Tamponade of bleeding esophageal varices with a balloon
Application of photodynamic therapy for treatment of esophageal malignancies
Endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst
Tightening the lower esophageal sphincter
Dilating or stenting of stenosis or achalasia
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (feeding tube placement)
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) combines EGD with fluoroscopy
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) combines EGD with 5–12 MHz ultrasound imaging

Newer interventions

Endoscopic trans-gastric laparoscopy
Placement of gastric balloons in bariatric surgery

Complications
The complication rate is about 1 in 1000. 

They include:

aspiration, causing aspiration pneumonia
bleeding
perforation
cardiopulmonary problems

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Media Contact
Jessica Watson
Journal Manager
Clinical Gastroenterology Journal
Email: gastroenterology@eclinicalsci.com