What is traditional upper endoscopy?
A doctor uses an endoscope, a long, thin, lighted flexible tube with a small camera on the end. The endoscope is inserted through the patient’s mouth and into the esophagus. Although the patient is awake during the procedure, doctors administer sedatives intravenously, and spray numbing agents into the patient’s throat to prevent gagging. Recovery time is one to two hours until the effects of the sedatives wear off and the patient’s throat may be sore for up to two days.
