1. Why do you need to get a gastroscopy?

 

Stomach cancer as a common cancer in Hong Kong

 

Stomach cancer was the sixth commonest cancer in Hong Kong in 2017. It accounted for 4.0% of all new cancer cases. According to the statistics of Centre for Health Protection (CHP), there were 1314 new cases of stomach cancer in 2017, with 762 cases of males and 552 cases of females. The male to female ratio was about 1.4 to 1. It was, moreover, the sixth leading cause of cancer deaths in Hong Kong. In 2018, it claimed 687 deaths, accounting for 4.7% of all cancer deaths.

 

Gastroscopy

 

At present, gastroscopy is the most common detection tool of stomach cancer. Gastroscopy involves a flexible endoscope which passes through the mouth of patients to the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum to examine if there is any inflammation, stomach polyps, peptic ulcer or tumour diseases. During the procedure, patients will receive intravenous sedation so they are asleep for the procedure and feel no pain. Biopsy will be performed during examination for laboratory tests when necessary.

In The Specialists, we can provide gastroscopy, the ultra slim 5mm gastroscopy, and auto fluorescence imaging (AFI). All the above procedures include the CLO test for Helicobacter pylori.

 

 

2. Who should have gastroscopy?

 

Citizens may have gastroscopy when experiencing:

 

• Dysphagia
• Recurrent epigastric pain
• Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Peptic ulcers
• Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (tarry stool)
• Suspected upper gastrointestinal malignancy
• Cancer screening for high-risk group

 

Special service items (Prior notification is required)

 

1. H. pylori antibiotic resistance test

Our centre provides H. pylori antibiotic resistance test, which is getting a sample of gastric tissues during gastroscopy for culture and sensitivity test. The charge is $850. Patients should notify our staff if they suspect or confirm they are antibiotic-resistant when making an appointment and inform the doctor prior to the procedure. It is because for any request of this test after the gastroscopy, the patient has to experience another gastroscopy to serve for this test.

 

2. Endoscopic variceal banding

Oesophageal varices are a major complication of liver cirrhosis. In severe cases, patients with oesophageal varices may experience internal bleeding. To prevent haemorrhage, patients are advised to have medications or endoscopic variceal banding during a gastroscopy.  The charge is $2800.

 

Simple steps to book our services:

 

Patients can undergo the day endoscopy in our centre. Normally just one to two working days are needed from booking to examination. A gastroscopy takes approximately 15 minutes. The average length of time that patients spent in our centre for completing the gastroscopy is two to three hours.

 

3. How to prepare for the procedure?

 

• Patients should stop taking antibiotics for six (6) weeks prior to gastroscopy.
• Gastric medications are usually stopped for two (2) weeks prior to gastroscopy.
• Patients need to be fasted for six (6) hours before the procedure.
• Patients are not allowed to drink water and other liquids for two (2) hours prior to the procedure.
• Prior to the procedure, there will be a brief consultation to explain the procedure and the risks involved. A consent form will then be signed by the patient.
• Remove the denture, accessories and metallic objects.

 

4. What happens during the colonoscopy?

 

MAC	Doctors will insert the gastroscope  through the mouth	Biopsies will be taken for doing H.pylorl testing	The entire procedure should take around 15 min

 

*According to the patient's condition, the method of anesthesia is determined by doctor.

 

1. The examination will be performed only when the patient is asleep after monitored anaesthesia care administered by anaesthesiologist, to avoid any discomfort. The anaesthesiologists participate in providing anaesthetic opinions to patients prior to the endoscopy. During the procedure, they will constantly monitor the stability of vital signs including pulse, breathe, blood pressure, to preserve the vitality of important organ functions. Monitored anaesthesia care is a special alternative for patients that require maximum comfort and safety.
2. The endoscopy will be passing through the mouth of patients to the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum.
3. A tissue sample is taken from the stomach lining to diagnose H. pylori infection.
4. If a suspicious area is seen on the lining of the stomach or oesophagus, the doctor will remove a biopsy for laboratory test.
5. The procedure will be completed within 10 to 15 minutes.

 

 

 

5. After the procedure

 

• The patient will be taken to the recovery room for further monitoring by a team of healthcare professionals. It will take for a while to be awake after the procedure.
• Personal resting suites are provided for patients to take a 15 minutes nap to wear off the sedation. Family members can accompany with the patient during the rest.
• During the gastroscopy, a tissue may be removed for laboratory test. As the removal of the tissue may cause some small wounds, the patient may feel discomfort within a few days after surgery. Patients are recommended to avoid drinking coffee, milk tea, strong tea, and alcoholic drinks. And patients should take postoperative drugs prescribed by the surgeon.
• As the patient is sedated, he/she should be accompanied by at least a friend or a family member aged above 18.
• The sedation and the anaesthetics may temporarily affect one's co-ordination and reasoning skills, therefore, avoid driving, drinking alcohol, making any important decision or signing legal document in 24 hours after the procedure.
• The effect of local anaesthetics will keep the throat numb for about an hour, during which swallowing is rendered difficult. These should disappear within a day. Please inform your doctor if these symptoms persist.

 

6. Devices to improve the colonoscopy output

 

Endoscopy Rooms

 

Both the endoscopy rooms and cleansing room are maintained at negative pressure. The cleansing room was constructed with the advice of our contractor Olympus, with the new models of endoscope reprocessors being used. To prevent cross infection, our endoscopic apparatus such as the hot biopsy forceps and the polypectomy snares are all disposable.
To provide an optimal medical service, we have lately introduced Olympus EVIS X1 endoscopic series which has already been in operation since November 2020. As the latest innovation, EVIS X1 uses the artificial intelligence (AI) to detect gastrointestinal disorders. 

New technologies include 5 LED Spectrum, Texture and Colour Enhancement Imaging (TXI), Extended Depth of Field (EDOF) with a normal focus mode (3-100mm), a near focus mode (1.5-5.5mm), wide-angle field of view, Red Dichromatic Imaging (RDI), as well as the Narrow Band Imaging (NBI). The advanced system delivers more refined image quality for better diagnosis and effective treatment and is optimized for the detection of adenomas polyps and early cancer. 

 

Available instruments and techniques

 

To prevent cross infection, our endoscopic apparatus such as the hot biopsy forceps and the polypectomy snares are all disposable. Furthermore, we provide the Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) technology that can offer twice the viewable distance than the previous type, projecting a more clear-cut observation for any lesion with abnormal blood vessels and mucosa.

 

Advanced apparatus and technologies including the ultra slim 5mm gastroscopy, auto fluorescence imaging (AFI), endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)and auto pressure water jet are also introduced in the centre.

 

7. Medical support

 

 

Equipment for resuscitation in the recovery area	24-hr emergency telephone hotline

 

The certified resuscitation area is equipped with all sorts of airway and intubation instruments including the endoscopic guided intubation facility, ventilator, oxygen generating machine, lifesaving medications and the cardioverter. Moreover, all our medical staff receives regular training on resuscitation to ensure patients can get the medical assistance in case of any emergency timely and properly.

 

If perforation or bleeding happens after the procedure, patients may receive follow up service gratis when necessary to ensure our patients get the most attentive post-operative care.

 

Price

 

Gastroscopy Package (CLO test for Helicobacter pylori included)
Biopsy	Package Price
Without biopsy	$7,800
With biopsy	$9,900
Types of Anaesthesia
Monitored Anaesthesia Care (M.A.C.)	+ $2,000
Additional items
Helicobacter pylori Antibiotic Resistance Test   We could provide Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance test, which is getting a sample of gastric tissues during gastroscopy for culture & sensitivity test. Please notify our staff if you suspect or confirm you are antibiotic-resistant when you make an appointment. It is because for any request of this test after the gastroscopy, you have to experience another gastroscopy to serve for this test.	+ $850

 

The Package Price above covers CLO test for Helicobacter pylori, Surgeon's Fee, Instrument Fee, Local Anaesthesia Fee, Pathology Fee, CO2 Fee, Operation Theatre Fee, an Endoscopy Report, Post-operative Medication Fee, Post-operative Report Interpretation and other miscellaneous charges during the procedure.

 

Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy must be using Monitored Anaesthetic Care (M.A.C.).

 

The price listed are for reference only. Prices are subject to change without prior notice.