Preparation for an upper GI study or pharyngoesophagogram
Each hospital or outpatient facility has its own preparation routines for these studies. These preparations should be available from the radiologists in hard copy form or in an institutional document online. At our institution, a handout describing the examination and explaining the preparation (see the following) is available to all referring physicians:
- 1. Patients should have nothing by mouth after 9 PM.
- 2. Insulin-dependent diabetics should eliminate or decrease the dose of insulin the morning of the examination.
- 3. Patients should not take antacids or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) on the morning of the examination.
- 4. Patients should wear dentures or other swallowing appliances.
- 5. If patients have solid food dysphagia, they should bring a type of food that causes dysphagia.
- 6. After the examination, patients are encouraged to drink liquids and may take a laxative if additional radiologic tests are scheduled or if there is a history of colonic hypomotility.
