Analytical Study of Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - 200 cases

Background: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is an important tool to visualize the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract up to the duodenum. It has the added advantage of being not only a diagnostic but also a therapeutic tool. It's importance in follow up cases is also well documented. It has indeed become a cost effective and reliable tool to modern surgery. Materials and methods: Clinically symptomatic cases of upper GI tract were made to undergo Upper GI Endoscopy after an informed written consent. The study covered 200 patients who were then analysed for different parameters. Our study showed that majority of patients were in their 3rd decade with a male: female ratio of 2.03:1. Pain in abdomen was the main presenting complaint. Study showed that 62% of patients were smokers whereas 71% were non alcoholic. Gastritis was the prominent finding in 41 (20.5%) cases followed by Hiatus Hernia and Reflux Esophagitis in 19.5% and 13% respectively. The study was found to be normal in 28 cases (14%). This study was also able to detect rare findings like esophageal polyp and Mallory Weiss tear. Endoscopy was also done in post Gastojejunostomy patients to assess the stoma from within. Conclusion: Endoscopy has proved to be a valuable tool in diagnosing as well as therapeutically treating patients with various pathologies. Upper GI endoscopy correlated well with the sign and symptom presentations in majority of patients and proved superior to conventional radiological studies. Thus endoscopy is not only useful and superior to many radiological investigations, but also helpful in therapeutic interventions as well as in follow up cases.