Upper endoscopy

An upper endoscopy, also called an esophagoastroduodenoscopy (EGD), is a minimally invasive procedure to view the upper lining of the digestive tract. An endoscope, a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera and light at its tip, is inserted into the mouth and passed down to take images of the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine.

Specialists from Penn Medicine’s Gastroenterology and Hepatology division routinely perform advanced endoscopic procedures, including upper endoscopy, to safely and effectively diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions affecting the digestive tract. We perform a high volume of endoscopic procedures using the latest technology to accurately diagnose and treat both common and complex gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. Our experts pioneered the use of endoscopic ultrasound, the most accurate means of detection and treatment of diseases within the human digestive tract.

An EGD procedure is typically recommended for people with symptoms related to stomach pain, swallowing issues, persistent nausea, or other conditions of the upper digestive tract. This includes people with:

• Persistent upper abdominal pain, especially with weight loss or poor appetite
• Pain or difficulty swallowing 
• Chronic or severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms
• Unexplained nausea, vomiting, or gastrointestinal bleeding
• Ongoing anemia or weight loss
• Symptoms suggesting structural problems, like tumors or ulcers
• Known or suspected GI conditions that need diagnosis or monitoring, such as Barrett’s esophagus, gastric ulcers, or celiac disease

Your provider will give you instructions on how to prepare ahead of time for your procedure. When you arrive, a nurse will check your vital signs, place an IV, and numb your throat with a spray to make the procedure more comfortable. You’ll receive sedation to help you relax.

During the test, a mouth guard may be used to protect your teeth as the thin, flexible tube is gently guided down your throat to examine your esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine.

Afterward, you will rest until the sedative wears off. You’ll need someone to drive you home and should avoid driving or making important decisions for the rest of the day.

Recovery from an upper endoscopy is usually quite rapid. Most people rest in a recovery area for about 30 to 60 minutes until the sedative wears off. You may experience mild symptoms like throat soreness or bloating. These typically improve within a few hours to one day.