Transnasal gastroscopy

The use of transnasal gastroscopy (TNG) has not previously been described in a Danish hospital. The method seems to be better tolerated compared with conventional oral gastroscopy.

Patients scheduled for diagnostic gastroscopy were included, and examined with a thin endoscope transnasally (Olympus XGIF-N200 prototype, diameter 6 mm).

Sixty patients were included, and transnasal gastroscopy was possible in 56 patients (93%). Two patients were examined transorally, as there were no passage through the nose. One patient had fluid retention in the stomach, and in another patient the endoscope looped continuously in the esophagus, preventing introduction into the stomach. The quality in 48 examinations (80%) was satisfactory. Unsedated examination was possible with 38 patients (68%), and 55% of patients did not have gag-reflexes or nausea. The unpleasantness of TNG was rated on a scale from 1 to 4, and the median score was 2 (slightly unpleasant). TNG would be the method of choice in 88% of patients, if they should undergo another gastroscopy in the future. Fifteen patients had uncomplicated epistaxis as the only complication. Pulse rate and oxygen saturation values were stable during the TNG examinations.

TNG with a thin endoscope seems to be well tolerated by the patients, this is supported by the subjective experience of the patients, and also by the stable values of oxygen saturation and heart rate during the examinations.