Per oral unsedated thin caliber gastroscopy is acceptable to patients

Objective: To evaluate the patient acceptance and patient discomfort caused by per oral unsedated thin caliber gastroscopy. Patients and Methods: After an informed consent, the throat was anesthetized with a local anesthetic. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed using a thin caliber gastroscope which was passed per oral. The procedure time and diagnoses after endoscopy were noted. The patients were asked about the degree of discomfort on a scale of 1-5. Results: There were 42 patients; 2 women. Mean age was 61.6 (range 30-83) years. The mean procedure time was 4.4 (range 2-11) minutes; the mean discomfort score was 2.2 (range 1-5). Only 2/42 (4.7%) patients said they would not undergo the unsedated procedure again. Conclusion: Per oral unsedated thin caliber gastroscopy has a high degree of patient acceptance and causes very little patient discomfort.