EVALUATION OF ONE-VISIT ENDOSCOPIC CLINIC FOR PATIENTS WITH DYSPEPSIA

An evaluation was made of the feasibility of an instant upper-gastrointestinal endoscopy clinic for patients referred to hospital for the investigation of dyspepsia. A total of 200 patients underwent endoscopy using a small-diameter endoscope with only topical pharyngeal anaesthesia but no premedication or sedation. The procedure was successful in 187 of the patients. Its acceptability was high for both patients and doctors. The average duration of the hospital visit was 45 minutes. Instant endoscopy with a small-diameter endoscope provides a convenient and fast primary diagnostic service for patients with dyspepsia. © 1979, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.