Frequent symptoms of bloating, problems with stools, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, pain or belching should be the reason for contacting a gastroenterologist for examination and clarification of the diagnosis. The most reliable picture of the state of the stomach and duodenum can be seen using fibrogastroscopy (or FGS). The procedure is unpleasant, but obligatory. Not every adult is able to withstand medical manipulations, but what if FGS was prescribed to a child? Don't panic and start preparing ahead of time.
FGS (FGDS) is an examination of the walls of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum using a special device - a gastroscope. The gastroscope consists of a thin, flexible tube that houses a fiber optic system.
For babies (under the age of 3 years), transnasal fibrogastroscopy is preferable - through the nose. In this case, the tube does not touch the root of the tongue, which excludes the presence of a gag reflex and severe discomfort. The tube diameter is 4 mm.
For older children, FGS is usually done by mouth, so it is necessary to prepare the child mentally. Fear usually arises from a lack of information. Try to explain to your child the features of the procedure and the importance of correct behavior during manipulations. Because children are sensitive to the mood of adults, try to speak confidently and calmly.
With FGS, local anesthesia is performed: a solution of lidocaine or its analogue is injected into the oral cavity. Then the child is laid on its side on a couch. The nurse takes the child's arms back, behind the back, and holds them until the end of the procedure. This is to prevent children from accidentally hitting or pulling out the tube.
To prevent the child from clenching his teeth, a special nozzle is inserted into the mouth - a mouthpiece. The endoscopist then gently inserts the tube up to the throat. The patient is asked to take a sip.
When swallowing, the tube smoothly enters the esophagus. The doctor delivers air flows through the device so that the walls of the esophagus straighten out, and the tube can safely move on.
To avoid discomfort, the child should breathe calmly and deeply through the nose. Rehearse with your child how to breathe properly. Warn your child not to be embarrassed by excessive salivation or belching. This is a natural reaction of the body.
In addition to moral preparation, it is recommended to observe the following conditions: 10 hours before the procedure, exclude fried, salty food, sweets and smoked meats, as well as alkaline mineral water such as Borzhomi and Essentuki. In rare cases, half an hour before FGS is allowed to drink half a glass of clean boiled water.
For the procedure, you must have a clean diaper, towel and change of shoes with you. FGS takes an average of 5-10 minutes. A micro camera at the end of the tube transmits the image to the computer. The doctor carefully examines the condition of the gastric mucosa, notes the presence of edema or ulcers. If necessary, a biopsy (scraping from the stomach wall) can also be done with a tube to examine tissue composition and the presence of microbes.
The overall result can be obtained within an hour or two after the procedure. The biopsy is prepared within 5-7 days.
With the correct and calm behavior of the child, acute pain and complications are excluded. In isolated cases, there may be red dots on the eyelids around the eyes - the result of straining and damage to small vessels. Brew a decoction of chamomile and cool. Soak cotton pads in the broth and apply them to your eyes for 3-5 minutes. Instead of a decoction, ordinary tea brew is also suitable.
