Endoscopic examinations
Our clinic performs all the common endoscopic examinations of the GI tract - from the oesophagus and stomach to the rectum and colon.
Written and medically reviewed by Bahir Hadi, specialist in surgery, PhD
Short answer
What is an endoscopic bowel examination?
An endoscopy uses a flexible camera to look directly at the mucosal lining. Gastroscopy examines the oesophagus and stomach, sigmoidoscopy the lower part of the large bowel, and colonoscopy is designed to examine the large bowel, although the examination can be incomplete in some cases. Tissue samples can be taken, and selected polyps can be removed during the same session.
At Kirurgen.dk, we perform a range of different endoscopic examinations. The examinations use video endoscopy, where the image from the camera is shown on a screen.
Endoscopic examination is the collective term for a series of examinations performed by introducing a small camera into the body to identify signs of disease, diagnose, and, in some cases, perform minor procedures.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is an endoscopic examination of the large bowel, in which a flexible tube is passed through the colon. The duration varies and the experience is individual: pressure, bloating, cramps and pain can occur. The need for sedation or pain relief is assessed individually. Colonoscopy is used for, among other things:
- Anal bleeding, low hemoglobin, weight loss, abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, etc.
- Follow-up after a positive FIT test in the organised bowel cancer screening programme, which is FIT-based with colonoscopy after a positive test
- Surveillance after colonic polyps or after surgery for colorectal cancer, where the interval is set individually
- Assessment where there is familial or genetic increased risk, which is a different indication from screening people without symptoms
How much a colonoscopy can clarify depends on bowel preparation, whether the scope can be passed all the way, and whether biopsies were taken. A normal colonoscopy therefore does not rule out every disease.
Read more about our colonoscopy
Nasal Gastroscopy
Gastroscopy is the term for an endoscopic examination that focuses on the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. In nasal gastroscopy a thin endoscope is passed through one nostril. The need for sedation is assessed individually, and suitability and experience vary, and nasal discomfort or nosebleed can occur. In some cases gastroscopy through the mouth is necessary. The examination can contribute to the investigation of, among other things:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Stomach pain
- Heartburn
A normal gastroscopy does not rule out all causes of swallowing difficulty, abdominal pain or reflux symptoms.
Read more about our nasal gastroscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
During sigmoidoscopy, a flexible tube with a TV camera is inserted into the rectum and the left side of the large intestine. The duration varies and the experience is individual; some people feel pressure, bloating or cramps. Sigmoidoscopy is used to clarify causes of, for example, blood in the stool, pain or difficulty in bowel movements. The examination only reaches the lower part of the large bowel, so it cannot rule out disease higher up, and a normal sigmoidoscopy does not exclude every condition even in the segment examined.
Read more about our sigmoidoscopy
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Which examination is which?
The names look alike and are easy to mix up. We have put together a short explanation of the difference between endoscopy, gastroscopy and colonoscopy. If you are scheduled for a colonoscopy, you can also read about the typical side effects after a colonoscopy.
Contact and appointments
Online booking is not available. Please call the clinic or ask your GP for a referral, so we can find the right appointment.
If you are in health insurance group 1 and have a valid referral from your GP, the examinations and treatments covered by the clinic's public health agreement are covered by the Danish public health insurance, so you pay nothing for them yourself. If you are in health insurance group 2, there is usually a small co-payment under the health insurance rules. If you are paying yourself, contact the clinic for a price.
Call the clinic
+45 39 64 01 25
Phone hours
Phone hours: Mon–Thu 09:00–12:00
Address
Hans Edvard Teglers Vej 9, 1st floor · 2920 Charlottenlund
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between gastroscopy and colonoscopy?+
Gastroscopy examines the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum via the mouth. Colonoscopy examines the colon via the rectum; the last part of the small bowel can sometimes be reached, but this is not guaranteed.
Do I need to fast before an endoscopic examination?+
Yes, but fasting and fluid instructions are procedure-specific and individual, so follow the times you receive from the clinic. Before a colonoscopy the bowel must be emptied with a preparation solution following the instructions you receive in advance. Medication on the day is reviewed individually, and you should never change prescribed medication without agreement.
Will I be sedated during the examination?+
For gastroscopy, local anaesthesia of the throat or nose is used. The need for sedation is assessed together with the clinician based on your situation, your preferences and the extent of the procedure, and it is not given to everyone. General anaesthesia is not part of the clinic's service and would be planned elsewhere.
How long does the examination take?+
The duration varies from person to person and depends on anatomy, tolerance and whether biopsies or treatment are needed. Allow time for the whole visit including preparation and observation.
When will I receive the results?+
The specialist will discuss the findings with you immediately after the examination. If biopsies were taken, the turnaround depends on the laboratory, and the clinic tells you when to expect the result.
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Contact information
- Hans Edvard Teglers Vej 9, 1st floor · 2920 Charlottenlund
- +45 39 64 01 25
- mail@kirurgen.dk
- Phone hours: Mon–Thu 09:00–12:00
For referring physicians
Provider number: 215430