Painless Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Package

When should you undergo painless gastrointestinal endoscopy?

Painless gastrointestinal endoscopy (with anesthesia) provides a gentle and accurate examination experience and is recommended for the following cases:

• People with low pain tolerance, fear of endoscopy, or previous unpleasant endoscopy experiences.
• Adults over 40–45 years old.
• Patients requiring prolonged procedures (polyp removal, complex biopsies, hemostasis), as anesthesia helps doctors operate more precisely.
• Individuals at high risk for gastrointestinal diseases or experiencing suspicious symptoms.
• Healthy individuals should also undergo periodic screening, especially if they have unhealthy lifestyle habits.

Who should avoid anesthesia-assisted endoscopy?

Certain cases may require caution or contraindication, including:

• Individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions to anesthetic drugs.
• Patients with severe cardiovascular or respiratory diseases (e.g., decompensated heart failure, severe respiratory failure, unstable acute myocardial infarction).
• Pregnant women in the first trimester.
• Patients with severe, uncontrolled bleeding disorders.

Before deciding on anesthesia, doctors at Thien Nhan Hospital will conduct thorough clinical examinations and evaluate overall health and underlying conditions to determine suitability.

What is the appropriate frequency for gastrointestinal endoscopy?

In most cases, endoscopy should only be performed when specifically indicated by a specialist. The frequency depends on individual health conditions, underlying diseases, and previous endoscopy results.

Note: Some cases may require periodic endoscopy:

• Routine screening: Healthy individuals at high risk (over 40–45 years old, family history of gastrointestinal diseases, frequent smoking or alcohol consumption) may be advised to undergo endoscopy every 1–2 years.
• Disease monitoring: Patients undergoing treatment for chronic gastric or colon conditions (e.g., atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, post-polypectomy) require more frequent monitoring.
• Suspicious symptoms: Immediate endoscopy is required if severe symptoms occur, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, persistent vomiting, unexplained weight loss, or difficulty swallowing.

3-Step Painless Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Process at Thien Nhan Hospital

Step 1: Initial examination and assessment

Doctors consult patients regarding medical history, medication use, and disease progression, and prescribe relevant pre-procedure tests to ensure safe anesthesia and endoscopy.

Step 2: Performing the endoscopy

Patients undergo required tests such as blood tests, chest X-ray, ECG, abdominal ultrasound, etc. Once safety indicators are met, anesthesia is administered and upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy is performed.

Step 3: Consultation with a specialist

After the procedure, doctors analyze imaging and test results, explain any detected lesions through images or videos, provide diagnosis conclusions, and recommend appropriate treatment plans.

Illustrative Endoscopic Findings

Endoscopy allows doctors to directly observe the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and colon, clearly distinguishing healthy mucosa from pathological lesions.

If polyps are detected and intervention is indicated (e.g., polyps larger than 0.5 cm or those with cancer risk), they are typically removed during the same painless endoscopy session. Tissue samples are then sent for histopathological examination to determine whether they are benign or malignant.

Important Notes Before, During, and After Painless Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Before the Procedure

Patients should:

• Fully disclose medical history and drug allergies.
• Complete all required pre-procedure tests as instructed.
• Follow fasting guidelines for gastric or colonoscopy.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and smoking at least 24 hours before the procedure.
• Temporarily discontinue anticoagulants as instructed.
• Arrange for a family member to accompany them.

During the Procedure

• Follow all instructions from medical staff.
• Stay relaxed, as the procedure is performed under anesthesia and is painless

After the Procedure

• Rest until fully alert.
• Avoid driving or strenuous activities for 24 hours.
• Follow dietary recommendations.
• Monitor for abnormal symptoms and contact medical staff if needed.
• Avoid vigorous gargling immediately after endoscopy.