Gastroenterology and hepatology
Upper and lower endoscopy
Who needs gastroscopy, colonoscopy or both, preparing the patient (antithrombotics, GLP-1 receptor agonists, bowel preparation), reading an endoscopy report and its quality markers, biopsies that change management, complications, and alternatives when colonoscopy fails.
Tier 1Medical sciences concept
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- Gastroscopy examines the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum to D2. Colonoscopy examines the colon and terminal ileum.
- The decision is who needs which, and whether the result would change management.
- Most procedures in Australia are done under propofol sedation by an anaesthetist, so ask about airway, aspiration risk and GLP-1 receptor agonists.
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Sources
- Colonoscopy Clinical Care StandardAU/NZAustralian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
- Cancer Council Australia. Clinical practice guidelines for surveillance colonoscopyAU/NZCancer Council Australia, 2018, revised 2019
- National Bowel Cancer Screening ProgramAU/NZAustralian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- Periprocedural use of GLP-1 receptor agonists and GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists: ADS, ANZCA, GESA and NACOS consensus clinical guideAU/NZAustralian Diabetes Society, ANZCA, GESA and NACOS, 2025
- Infection Prevention and Control in Endoscopy, 2025 updateAU/NZGastroenterological Society of Australia and Gastroenterological Nurses College of Australia, 2025
- Veitch AM et al. Endoscopy in patients on antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy: BSG and ESGE guideline update. Gut 2021;70:1611-28British Society of Gastroenterology and European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2021
- Kaminski MF et al. Performance measures for lower gastrointestinal endoscopy: a European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) quality improvement initiative. Endoscopy 2017;49:378-97European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2017
- Rex DK et al. Quality indicators for colonoscopy. Am J Gastroenterol 2024;119:1754-80American College of Gastroenterology and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2024
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
What changed
- 14 November 2026 Personal emails, About story and Australian-style copy