Is It Beneficial to Combine Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy?

Endoscopy has emerged as the gold standard for diagnosing digestive tract diseases, encompassing the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, and colon. This direct visualization technique, facilitated by a camera-equipped endoscope, allows for the detection of various conditions within the digestive tract, including tumors, ulcers, foreign bodies, and vascular malformations. The question arises: should gastroscopy and colonoscopy be performed simultaneously?

1. Understanding Gastroscopy

Gastroscopy is a procedure that involves the direct examination of the upper digestive tract, comprising the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. A small, flexible scope, approximately 1cm in diameter, is inserted through the esophagus into the stomach. Equipped with a built-in light and camera, this endoscope provides real-time images on a screen.

The flexibility of the endoscope enables deep exploration of the digestive tract, allowing doctors to identify minute lesions measuring just a few millimeters. Gastroscopy plays a pivotal role in diagnosing conditions and uncovering the root causes of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, flatulence, indigestion, difficulty swallowing, and abdominal pain.

Patients experiencing digestive symptoms are typically recommended for a gastroscopy, which can be administered through the mouth or nose (using a nasogastric tube). Patients also have the option of undergoing the procedure with or without anesthesia.

2. Understanding Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is an invaluable tool for both early detection and prevention of colorectal cancer. This diagnostic method employs a flexible endoscope to visualize the inside of the colon, including the rectum, sigmoid colon, descending colon, transverse colon, ascending colon, cecum, and the terminal portion of the small intestine.

Colonoscopy aids in identifying anomalies such as foreign bodies, ulcers, polyps, tumors, areas of inflammation, and bleeding. It is also highly effective for screening and early detection of colon cancer, as well as for removing precancerous lesions or small tumors and polyps.

The endoscope used in colonoscopy is a slender, flexible tube, akin to the size of an index finger, with a length of 130 - 180 cm. A small camera mounted at its tip allows the doctor to visualize and record the inner workings of the colon. Like gastroscopy, patients have the choice of undergoing colonoscopy with sedation or without anesthesia. When opting for anesthesia, patients may undergo pre-anesthesia assessments, including blood tests and electrocardiograms if deemed necessary by the anesthesiologist.

3. Combining Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy

Given the information presented, it becomes apparent that undergoing both gastroscopy and colonoscopy in a single session can eliminate the need for anesthesia on two separate occasions. Combining these procedures does not significantly increase the risk of complications. However, it does extend the duration of anesthesia by approximately 12 - 20 minutes compared to individual gastroscopy or colonoscopy procedures. Nevertheless, the total anesthesia time remains shorter than that required for separate procedures.

In conclusion, the decision to combine gastroscopy and colonoscopy should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider, taking into consideration your specific medical condition and preferences. This approach can provide convenience and efficiency while ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of the digestive tract.