[Medical Q&A] Will taking a biopsy during gastroscopy damage the gastric mucosa?

Author: Jin Mulan, Chief Physician, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University

Reviewer: Yao Shukun, Chief Physician, China-Japan Friendship Hospital

"Biopsies" taken during gastroscopy will not damage the gastric mucosa.

Gastric mucosal biopsy is a method of pathological diagnosis by taking gastric mucosal tissue with gastroscope. Endoscopic examination can detect and diagnose early lesions of gastric mucosa, but endoscopic examination alone sometimes cannot clearly characterize the lesions. Mucosal tissue needs to be taken with forceps and sent to the pathology department. Pathologists observe under a microscope to further diagnose the lesions. Pathologists diagnose diseases based on histological morphology.

The tissue removed by gastric mucosal biopsy forceps is very superficial and the damage is very small, almost no damage. Usually the mucosa can return to normal in 1 to 2 weeks. Occasionally, bleeding such as vomiting blood or black stools may occur after the biopsy, which can usually be relieved on its own. If a large amount of bleeding occurs, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

In addition, painless gastroscopy technology has been widely used. A certain dose of short-acting anesthetics is administered intravenously to help patients quickly enter a state of sedation and sleep, allowing patients to complete gastroscopy without any consciousness, so there is basically no obvious pain, and it is generally acceptable to the public.