+30 210 46 11 204
+30 210 46 11 204
The Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Laboratory of Cosmoclinic specializes in the diagnosis and management of digestive system diseases, with maximum safety and comfort for the patient.
At Cosmoclinic, we possess one of the most modern and reliable endoscopic systems in Greece, the Pentax IMAGINA system, featuring i-scan technology, an innovation that changes the standards in gastroenterological imaging and provides an advanced method for examining the digestive system.
i-scan is an advanced form of digital image processing, which highlights the subtlest changes in the structure and color of the mucosa, identifying microscopic lesions that would otherwise go unnoticed. It offers high-resolution images with stunning clarity and detail, allowing for the detection of even the smallest tissue changes. During the examination, chromoendoscopy activates special color filters that enhance the ability to distinguish between healthy and pathological tissue, making the identification of abnormal findings easier.
This allows the gastroenterologist to proceed with a targeted biopsy, if necessary, ensuring a more accurate diagnosis.
Surface Enhancement (SE): increases the contrast of surface structures.
Tone Enhancement (TE): enhances color differences and vascular patterns.
Contrast Enhancement (CE): improves the distinction between bright and shaded areas.
Detection of even small or flat lesions.
Accurate characterization of lesions (e.g., polyps, inflammation, early malignancies).
Personalized therapeutic approach based on more accurate data.
Faster and safer examination, with top image clarity.
The process is completed with the provision of a digital file (USB stick) that includes images and videos of the examination.
Because our priority is the safety of our patients, we achieve a high degree of HLD disinfection (High Level Disinfection) of endoscopic tools, using the advanced washing machine from the American company MEDIVATORS, the only washing machine with the capability of liquid sterilization, which features a leak test and uses RFID technology.
All examinations are performed with the administration of sedation, thus offering a painless experience without discomfort for the patient.
Sedation is administered exclusively by anesthesiologists, ensuring continuous clinical monitoring of vital signs and the highest level of patient safety.
At the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Laboratory, the following examinations and interventional procedures are performed:
It is performed with the aim of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (gastritis, ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux, helicobacter pylori, upper gastrointestinal bleeding).
The examination is done with the help of a gastroscope, a flexible and thin tube that has a camera and a light source at its tip. The examination is monitored by the physician via a special monitor. Thus, the interior of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum is checked and, if necessary, a sample is taken for biopsy.
Patient preparation:
One day before the examination: You must fast from 20:00 on the evening before the examination.
On the day of the examination:
You are not allowed to consume any food.
3 hours before the examination, you are not allowed to drink any liquid.
In case you are taking any medication (such as a blood pressure or thyroid pill), you can take it with very little water, 2 hours before the examination.
It is recommended to be accompanied by a person of your own.
6 hours after the examination, you should not drive.
Duration: The duration of a gastroscopy depends on the purpose of the examination and whether a polypectomy (i.e., removal of a polyp) will be performed:
Simple diagnostic gastroscopy: Usually lasts 5–10 minutes. The patient then remains in a ward for observation for a short time.
Gastroscopy with polypectomy: If a polyp is detected and removed, the duration is extended. In total, it may last 15–20 minutes or more, depending on the size, number, and position of the polyps. In more complex cases, it can reach 30 minutes.
Equipment: At Cosmoclinic, we possess one of the most modern and reliable endoscopy systems, the Pentax IMAGINA system, with i-scan technology, which provides the possibility of an advanced gastroscopy.
It is used to check for diseases of the lower digestive system (colitis, diverticulosis, colon cancer) and in some cases for the treatment of diseases (bleeding, polyps).
The examination is done with the help of a colonoscope, a flexible and thin tube that has a camera and a light source at its tip. The entire examination process is monitored by the physician via a special monitor. Thus, the interior of the intestine is checked and, if necessary, a sample is taken for biopsy.
Patient preparation: The reliability of the examination directly depends on how well your bowel is cleaned. For this reason, please follow the instructions strictly.
Three days before the examination: Follow the diet in the list below. You must drink 2 liters (8–10 glasses) of water or allowed liquids daily.
Allowed: White bread, Pasta, Rice, Potatoes (without skin), Chicken (without skin), Fish, Eggs, Hard Cheese, Olive oil, Butter, Margarine, Tea, Coffee (not Greek style with sentiment), Clear juices (not sour cherry), Strained broths, Sugar, Honey.
Not allowed: Whole grain cereals, Legumes, Vegetables, Fruits, Red meat, Milk, Nuts, Sesame, Seeds, Cola-type soft drinks or Energy drinks with intense color, Alcohol.
If you have severe constipation or if in a previous colonoscopy the bowel cleansing was not successful, please start the diet 5 days before the examination, combined with 2 tablespoons of milk of magnesia daily.
One day before the examination:
Breakfast: 1 clear drink (coffee without milk, tea, herbal tea) and 1 toast with cheese or rusks with butter and honey.
At 12:00: Clear broth with vermicelli.
After 12:00: Do not consume any solid food and drink plenty of water or allowed liquids.
Instructions for taking Citrafleet preparation:
The action starts about 2 hours after taking the preparation. You are expected to have frequent bowel movements, so you must remain in a place with immediate access to a toilet.
At 13:00: Dissolve the contents of one Citrafleet sachet in a cup (150ml) of cool water for 1-2 minutes. Wait a little for it to cool down and drink it. Wait 10 minutes without drinking more water. If you have purchased Citrafleet in ready-to-drink form, drink the contents of one vial.
In the following hours, drink a glass (250ml) of water or clear liquids such as tea or chamomile every 15-20 minutes until the watery bowel movements stop. You must drink a total of at least 2 liters of water.
At 18:00: Repeat the same process with the second sachet or vial. In the following hours, drink a glass (250ml) of water every 15-20 minutes until the watery bowel movements stop. You must drink a total of at least 1,5 liters of water.
It is very important that your bowel empties completely; therefore, it is necessary to take both doses of the preparation, as well as the required amount of water.
Possible side effects:
Minor bloating or mild stomach pain is normal.
In case of hemorrhoid irritation, you can use a special soothing ointment.
If you feel weak, you can drink non-carbonated energy drinks with electrolytes, as long as they do not have an intense red, orange, blue, or purple color.
If you feel nausea, you can take an antiemetic.
You must drink enough liquids so that you do not become dehydrated and do not feel a headache or dizziness.
On the day of the examination:
If you have a fever, cough, or symptoms of a virus, please inform us so that we can reschedule your appointment.
Take your usual medication (except for the exceptions described below) with a little water until 07:00 a.m. (unless you have been given different instructions).
You can drink small sips of water up to 3 hours before the examination. Afterwards, follow absolute fasting (not even water).
After the completion of the examination, you will need to remain on-site for observation for 30-60 minutes. Then, you can leave, accompanied by a close person of yours.
Driving is not allowed, as the administered treatment may affect your reflexes and level of consciousness.
Instructions concerning Medication:
If you are on anticoagulant therapy, such as Plavix, Salospir, Sintrom, ask your physician if they should be discontinued 5 days before the examination. If you are taking Xarelto, Eliquis, Pradaxa, ask your physician if they should be discontinued 2 days before the examination.
If you are diabetic, you should skip taking metformin (Glucophage) on the eve and the day of the examination. If you use insulin injections, ask your physician about the possible reduction of the evening dosage.
If you are on iron supplements, you must discontinue its intake seven (7) days before the examination.
Duration: The duration of a colonoscopy depends on the purpose of the examination and whether a polypectomy (i.e., removal of a polyp) will be performed:
Simple diagnostic colonoscopy: Usually lasts 20–30 minutes, depending on the anatomy of the bowel and the ease of advancing the endoscope. The patient then remains in a ward for observation for a short time.
Colonoscopy with polypectomy: If polyps are detected and removed, the duration of the examination is extended. It may last 30–45 minutes or even more, depending on the number, size, and position of the polyps. In more demanding cases, it can reach up to 60 minutes.
Equipment: At Cosmoclinic, we possess one of the most modern and reliable endoscopy systems, the Pentax IMAGINA system, with i-scan technology, which provides the possibility of an advanced colonoscopy.
It is applied with the aim of direct visual evaluation of the interior of the rectum and the final part of the large intestine.
It is performed for the diagnosis and monitoring of various diseases, such as hemorrhoids, fissures, polyps, inflammatory bowel diseases, and cancerous lesions.
Duration: The procedure lasts from approximately 5 to 10 minutes. If necessary, biopsies can be taken during the examination.
Patient preparation: For the successful conduct of proctoscopy, cleaning of the rectum is required. The use of a low enema on the previous evening is recommended, and another one a few hours before the examination, according to the doctor's instructions. Fasting or dietary restriction is not required unless specific instructions are given.
After the examination, the patient can return immediately to their daily activities.
Equipment: At Cosmoclinic, we possess one of the most modern and reliable endoscopy systems, the Pentax IMAGINA system, with i-scan technology, which provides the possibility of an advanced sigmoidoscopy.
It is applied for the removal of polyps from the large intestine or the upper digestive system.
Polypectomy is performed during colonoscopy or gastroscopy, depending on the position of the polyp.
During endoscopy, when one or more polyps are detected, they are removed with the help of a special loop. Depending on the size of the polyp, its morphology, and the patient's condition, one of the following techniques is chosen:
Polypectomy with diathermy: It is suitable for larger polyps.
Cold polypectomy: It is suitable for small, protruding polyps.
Patient preparation:
The preparation described above for gastroscopy or colonoscopy is followed.
After the examination, the patient can return to their daily activities on the same day. The results of the histological examinations are available within a few days.
Equipment: At Cosmoclinic, polypectomy is performed with the use of advanced endoscopic equipment, with the aim of effective and painless removal of polyps. Thus, we reduce the risk of complications and ensure the best possible care for the patient.
Endoscopic Hemostasis
It constitutes an emergency interventional procedure applied for the control of active bleeding in the digestive system. It is mainly utilized in cases of bleeding from ulcers, esophageal varices, angiodysplasias, mucosal tears, or bleeding after endoscopic procedures, such as polypectomies.
The process is performed with the use of an endoscope, through which the source of bleeding is identified and appropriate hemostasis techniques are applied.
Endoscopic hemostasis offers significant advantages, as it is less invasive compared to surgical management and allows for immediate intervention at the site of bleeding.
It constitutes a minimally invasive procedure that allows for the direct feeding of the patient through the stomach, when normal swallowing is not possible. The method applied is Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG), which is performed with the help of an endoscope.
The endoscope is inserted through the mouth into the stomach, allowing the doctor to identify the appropriate point for the placement of the gastrostomy tube. Then, through a small incision in the abdominal wall, the tube is inserted and secured in place.
Duration: The whole process lasts about 20-30 minutes and is performed under sedation.
Patient preparation:
On the eve of the examination: You must fast from 20:00 on the evening before the examination.
On the day of the examination:
You are not allowed to consume any food.
3 hours before the examination, you are not allowed to drink any liquid.
In case you are taking any medication (such as a blood pressure or thyroid pill), you can take it with very little water, 2 hours before the examination.
It is recommended to be accompanied by a person of your own.
6 hours after the examination, you should not drive.
After the procedure: The patient remains under observation for a few hours. After placement, feeding is done through the tube with special solutions. The doctor provides detailed instructions to the patient and their relatives for the care of the tube and the prevention of potential complications.
Indications: The placement of a gastrostomy offers a safe and effective solution in cases where normal feeding is not feasible for a prolonged period, such as:
Neurological disorders affecting swallowing (e.g., strokes, Parkinson's disease).
Malignant diseases of the neck or esophagus.
Chronic conditions leading to severe malnutrition.
Equipment: The placement of a gastrostomy at Cosmoclinic is performed with the use of modern endoscopic systems, which allow for the placement of the feeding tube with accuracy and safety. Certified systems are used, which ensure stability, durability, and comfort for the patient. The procedure is undertaken by specialized gastroenterologists, in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and experienced nursing staff, in a fully equipped environment.
For any questions or clarifications, please contact our endoscopy department.
The Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Laboratory is contracted with E.O.P.Y.Y., offering the possibility to perform examinations using an E.O.P.Y.Y. referral.
