A gastroscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to look at the inside of your oesophagus (food pipe), stomach, and the first part of your small bowel using a thin, flexible tube called a gastroscope. The camera on the end of the tube sends images to a screen for your doctor to examine. Your doctor may recommend a gastroscopy to:

• Investigate symptoms such as heartburn, reflux, swallowing difficulties, nausea, vomiting, pain, or bleeding
• Take biopsies (small tissue samples) for testing
• Treat certain conditions (e.g. remove polyps, control bleeding, stretch narrowed areas)

A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to examine the inside of your large bowel (colon) using a thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope. The camera on the end of the tube sends images to a screen for your doctor to view. Your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy to:

• Investigate symptoms such as bleeding, abdominal pain, change in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss
• Check for bowel cancer or polyps
• Remove polyps or take biopsies (small tissue samples)

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) is a specialised procedure that combines endoscopy and ultrasound to examine the digestive tract and nearby organs such as the pancreas, bile ducts, and lymph nodes. A thin, flexible tube with an ultrasound probe and camera is passed through the mouth and into the stomach and small bowel to capture detailed images. Your doctor may recommend EUS to:

• Investigate unexplained abdominal symptoms or abnormal imaging results
• Assess and biopsy (sample) tumours or abnormal growths
• Evaluate high-risk pancreatic cysts
• Stage certain cancers or guide further treatment

An Antegrade Double Balloon Enteroscopy (ADBE) is a specialised, non-surgical endoscopic procedure used to
examine and treat problems in the small bowel. It is performed using a long, flexible tube (enteroscope) fitted with a camera and small balloons. The balloons are gently inflated and deflated to allow the scope to advance safely through the small bowel, giving your doctor a clear view and the ability to diagnose or treat conditions. An ADBE may be recommended for several reasons, including:

• Investigation of ongoing gastrointestinal bleeding or anaemia
• Removal of abnormal growths such as polyps
• Dilation (stretching) of strictures (narrowed areas)
• Diagnosis of small bowel disease
• Treatment of other abnormalities detected in the small bowel

A Retrograde Double Balloon Enteroscopy (RDBE) is a specialised, non-surgical endoscopic procedure used to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal disorders. Under sedation or anaesthetic, the enteroscope is carefully inserted via the rectum and advanced through the bowel using gentle inflation and deflation of balloons. This allows deep access into the small intestine that standard endoscopes cannot achieve. An RDBE may be recommended for several reasons, including:

• Biopsy of tissue
• Treating areas of bleeding (anaemia)
• Removal of abnormal growths such as polyps
• Dilation (stretching) of strictures (narrowed areas)
• Diagnosis of small bowel disease or other ongoing gastrointestinal issues

Capsule endoscopy is a test that allows your doctor to examine the small intestine using a tiny camera contained in a swallowable capsule. It does not replace a gastroscopy or colonoscopy, which are used to examine the oesophagus, stomach, or large bowel.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a specialised procedure that combines endoscopy and X-ray to examine and treat conditions of the bile ducts and pancreatic ducts. A flexible tube with a camera is passed through the mouth into the stomach and small bowel. A contrast dye is injected into the ducts, and X-rays are taken to help diagnose and treat blockages, stones, or narrowing. Your doctor may recommend ERCP to:

• Remove gallstones from the bile duct
• Relieve obstruction or narrowing of the bile or pancreatic ducts
• Place a stent to keep a duct open
• Take tissue samples or brushings for further testing

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) Guided Biliary and Pancreatic Drainage is a minimally invasive procedure used when traditional methods, such as ERCP, are not possible or have been unsuccessful. Using ultrasound from inside the digestive tract, the doctor can precisely locate blocked bile or pancreatic ducts and create a drainage pathway to relieve pressure and restore normal flow. This technique helps avoid the need for more invasive surgery. Your doctor may recommend EUS-guided drainage to:

• Relieve obstruction in the bile or pancreatic ducts
• Treat jaundice caused by blocked bile flow
• Bypass strictures due to inflammation, stones, or tumours
• Place stents to ensure ongoing drainage
• Provide symptom relief when standard endoscopic access is not possible

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove abnormal or precancerous tissue from the lining of the digestive tract, most commonly in the oesophagus, stomach, or colon. Instead of surgery, the affected area is lifted and carefully removed using specialised endoscopic tools, allowing treatment and diagnosis at the same time. Your doctor may recommend EMR to:

• Remove large or flat polyps that cannot be removed during standard endoscopy
• Treat early-stage cancers confined to the surface layer of the digestive tract
• Prevent precancerous lesions from progressing
• Obtain larger tissue samples for accurate diagnosis

Gastrointestinal Tract Dilatation is a minimally invasive procedure used to widen narrowed areas (strictures) in the oesophagus, stomach, small bowel, or colon. Using an endoscope, the doctor gently stretches the narrowed section with a balloon or dilator to improve the passage of food or digestive contents. This can provide quick relief from discomfort and help restore normal function without the need for surgery. Your doctor may recommend gastrointestinal dilatation to:

• Treat strictures caused by inflammation, scarring, previous surgery, or radiation
• Relieve difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) due to oesophageal narrowing
• Improve symptoms such as pain, bloating, or obstruction
• Maintain or restore access for future procedures

Gastrointestinal Tract Stenting is a minimally invasive procedure used to open and support narrowed or blocked areas of the digestive tract. A small, expandable tube (stent) is placed via an endoscope to maintain the passage of food, bile, or pancreatic fluids, relieving obstruction and improving digestive function without surgery. Your doctor may recommend gastrointestinal stenting to:

• Relieve obstruction caused by strictures, tumours, or inflammation
• Improve swallowing or the passage of digestive contents
• Support bile or pancreatic flow when ducts are narrowed or blocked
• Provide symptom relief and improve quality of life when other treatments are not possible