Painless endoscopy in Vienna

During gastroscopy, also known as an upper endoscopy, the upper part of the digestive tract, including the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), is examined using an endoscope. Through gastroscopy, it is possible to investigate the causes of existing symptoms, such as Helicobacter infection, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The gastrointestinal tract begins in the mouth, where food is broken down and mixed with saliva, and then transported through the esophagus to the stomach. In the stomach, the food is broken down further by gastric acid and enzymes. In the small intestine, the main digestion and absorption of nutrients takes place through the greatly enlarged intestinal mucosa. The large intestine absorbs water and forms stool while harboring a variety of bacteria that aid in digestion. Finally, the stool is stored in the rectum and excreted through the anus.

The 3 most common diseases that affect the stomach are:

1. gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining): An inflammation of the stomach lining that can be caused by various factors such as infections with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, an unhealthy diet, stress, smoking or alcohol. Gastroscopies are the most accurate way to diagnose gastritis and directly assess the condition of the gastric mucosa.

2. gastric ulcers: Gastric ulcers are open wounds or lesions that develop in the stomach lining or in the upper part of the small intestine (duodenum). The main causes of stomach ulcers can be: an infection with Helicobacter pylori, long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, stress and certain dietary habits. Gastroscopies are also an important diagnostic tool here.

3. duodenal ulcers: ulcers in the duodenum that are characterized by persistent pain and often occur at night when the patient is fasting. Gastroscopies and, in some cases, colonoscopies can help to diagnose these ulcers accurately.

The 3 most common diseases that affect the intestines are:

1. diarrhea: Chronic diarrhea (Crohn’s disease) can be caused by various factors such as intestinal diseases, food intolerances, metabolic diseases or cancer. Colonoscopies are often necessary to determine the exact cause.

2. colorectal cancer: The transformation of healthy intestinal cells into cancer cells often occurs via benign precursors, the so-called intestinal polyps. These can degenerate and transform into cancer cells. During screening colonoscopies, the benign precursors (intestinal polyps) are removed and their degeneration into cancer cells is prevented.

3. irritable bowel syndrome: Possible symptoms include abdominal pain, cramps, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation and mucus in the stool. There is no cure for IBS, but the symptoms can often be alleviated by a combination of measures. A precise diagnosis and an individually tailored treatment plan are crucial to improving the quality of life of those affected.

The focus in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases is on modern procedures that enable precise diagnosis and effective therapy.

You should arrive for the examination on an empty stomach (drinking water is allowed up to one hour before the procedure). Before the examination begins, there is an explanation about the procedure and sedation, along with a brief clarification of any remaining questions. Then, an access point is established, and Propofol is administered to induce sleep. About 30 minutes after the examination, you will be woken up, get dressed, and can gradually wake up fully in a reclining chair in the recovery room, where you can drink water and have a light snack. The doctor will then come to you and provide you with the written report, which will be briefly discussed. If medications are necessary, you will be given a prescription. Around an hour after the examination, you will be fully alert again, but driving is not allowed. The samples taken during the gastroscopy are examined in the laboratory (biopsy), and the results are sent to the Co-Ordination within 7-10 days. The doctor translates the findings into layman’s terms and sends them to you via email or postal mail, according to your preference. For a detailed discussion of the findings, you can schedule a separate appointment upon request (30 minutes), which will be billed separately. Payment for all examinations is possible in cash or by card.

During a colonoscopy, the rectum, the entire colon, and the last portion of the small intestine (terminal ileum) are examined.

You should avoid a high-fiber diet 2-3 days prior the colonoscopy. That means raw fruits, raw vegetables, whole grains, and cereal should preferably not be consumed during this time. On the day before the examination, it is recommended to have only clear soup for lunch and nothing else thereafter.

After the examination, you can resume normal eating immediately.

For a colonoscopy, you will need a 15-minute preliminary consultation, either in person or by phone, approximately one week before the examination. During this discussion, you will receive information about the procedure, its risks, and you will fill out a questionnaire regarding risk factors. You will receive a prescription and information regarding your bowel preparation. On the evening before the examination, you start with the bowel preparation. For this purpose, we use a convenient preparation where you need to consume less liquid compared to more common medications. From this point onward, you should not eat anything, but you can continue to drink fluids, including beer or coffee. Approximately 5 hours before the examination, you take the second part of the medication to ensure thorough bowel cleansing (failure to do so may require rescheduling the examination for another date). You arrive in a fasting state (drinking water is allowed up to one hour before your examination) and change into appropriate attire in a separate changing room, directly adjacent to the endoscopy room. Then, an access point is established, and Propofol is administered to induce sleep. The colon examination takes approximately 45 minutes, and any discovered polyps are removed immediately. After waking up and getting dressed, you’ll go to the recovery room with a comfortable recliner, water, and snacks, where you can gradually become fully alert again. Meanwhile, the doctor attends to the next endoscopy and then comes to you, hands over the written report, and discusses it briefly. Samples (polyps) taken during the examination are analyzed in the laboratory. The results arrive at the coordination center within 7 to 10 days, are interpreted by your doctor, and you receive them in a format understandable for medical laypersons via post or email (according to your preference), along with a prescription if necessary. If you would like to discuss the report in detail, please schedule a paid consultation for a thorough review. Payment for all appointments is made on-site in cash or by card. Approximately one hour after the examination, you are fully operational again. However, driving is not allowed.

Since you will start drinking the wash-out solution on the day before the examination in the late afternoon, you should plan to be at home from around 6:00 pm onward. 

Since the examination is performed under sedation, you may still feel a bit tired afterward. It is advisable to take the day off on the day of the examination.

The presence of a trusted person is not necessary. Approximately one hour after your examination, you will be fit again and can resume your usual activities. However, driving is expressly prohibited.

Therefore, if you come by car, a companion is required.

For rectoscopy, there is no need for fasting or bowel preparation. You arrive at the practice approximately 45 minutes before the examination and then receive an enema. This cleanses the rectum for the examination. The doctor will briefly discuss the procedure and potential risks. You will then change in a separate changing room directly adjacent to the endoscopy room. At the beginning of the examination, an access is established, and Propofol is administered, so you fall asleep. The examination of the rectum takes about 30 minutes: after waking up and getting dressed, you’ll go to the recovery room and relax in a comfortable leather recliner. The doctor will then give you your written report, which will be briefly discussed. If you need medication, you will also receive a prescription.

If both examinations are performed together, you can expect the procedure to last approximately one hour. With the brief preparation (changing clothes, establishing access) and waking up, please plan around two hours for the entire process.

Prepare for the examination conscientiously based on the information provided during the pre-examination discussion. Attend your appointment punctually.

All consumables are single-use items and are therefore not cleaned but disposed of after use.

The endoscopes themselves are washed and disinfected in a special machine after use.

Theoretically, sedation is not necessary for a colonoscopy, and in the past, it was generally performed without it. Without sedation, however, a colonoscopy can be very painful and uncomfortable, which is why many patients used to be very fearful of it.
With today’s standard gentle endoscopy under sedation, this fear is completely unfounded, as the procedure is neither uncomfortable nor painful. 

Yes, of course! Both examinations can also be performed in one session. Usually, the gastroscopy is performed first, followed by the colonoscopy.

The Co-Ordination is a private practice with specialized doctors from various fields. Health insurance providers do not cover all costs for patients of a private practice, so you will need to pay part of the expenses yourself unless they are covered by private supplementary insurance.

Call us  and we will schedule the necessary appointments directly over the phone. Since an endoscopy should be well-planned and the personal consultation covers important questions, unfortunately, there is no option to book this examination online. 
Two days before the appointments, you will receive a reminder from us.