Led by both surgeons · part of GI Endoscopy care
GI endoscopy uses a thin flexible camera to look directly inside the digestive tract. Upper GI endoscopy (gastroscopy) examines the food pipe, stomach and duodenum, while colonoscopy examines the large bowel — for diagnosis, biopsy, cancer screening and treatment such as polyp removal.
GI endoscopy uses a thin, flexible camera to look directly inside the digestive tract — so problems can be diagnosed, biopsied and often treated without open surgery.
Dr. Babu Elangovan performs upper GI endoscopy (gastroscopy) and colonoscopy for assessment, cancer screening and therapeutic procedures.
Gastroscopy examines the food pipe, stomach and duodenum — used for reflux, swallowing difficulty, indigestion, ulcers and bleeding.
Colonoscopy examines the large bowel — used for bleeding, a change in bowel habit and bowel-cancer screening. Polyps can be removed during the same procedure (polypectomy).
Gastroscopy is done with throat numbing and often light sedation; colonoscopy is usually done under sedation. Most people feel little or no pain.
You will be given clear preparation instructions — fasting before gastroscopy, and a bowel-cleansing preparation before colonoscopy.
GI & Liver Health Awareness
A general awareness video on gastrointestinal and liver health.
Endoscopy is generally well tolerated. Gastroscopy is done with throat numbing and often light sedation; colonoscopy is usually done under sedation. Most people feel little or no pain.
Colonoscopy is used to investigate rectal bleeding, a change in bowel habit, anaemia or abdominal symptoms, and for bowel-cancer screening. Polyps that could become cancer can be removed during the same procedure.
Yes. Polyps found during colonoscopy can usually be removed in the same procedure (polypectomy) and sent for analysis. Removing polyps helps prevent bowel cancer.
For gastroscopy you fast for several hours beforehand. For colonoscopy you take a bowel-cleansing preparation the day before so the bowel is clear. Detailed instructions are given when the test is booked.
Most endoscopies are day-care. After sedation you rest until it wears off and then go home the same day; you should not drive that day.
Yes. As well as diagnosis and biopsy, endoscopy allows therapeutic procedures such as removing polyps, stopping bleeding, dilating narrowings and placing stents.
Dr. Babu Elangovan, Surgical Gastroenterologist and Liver Transplant Surgeon, consults across Chennai — including Mira Health Care (Adyar), Kauvery Hospital (Alwarpet), Capstone Clinics (Nungambakkam), Kumaran Hospital (Kilpauk) and THANC Hospital (Kilpauk).
Request a consultation and choose your preferred hospital. Enquiries reach Dr. Babu’s team and you are directed to the most suitable consulting location.
