An endoscopy is a minimally invasive medical procedure that uses an endoscope—a long, flexible tube equipped with a light and a tiny camera—to look inside the body. This device transmits real-time images to a monitor, allowing doctors to diagnose, monitor, or treat various conditions, most commonly within the gastrointestinal tract. The total time a patient spends at the facility is highly dependent on the specific type of endoscopy performed and whether therapeutic actions are taken during the examination.
The Total Time Commitment (Check-in to Discharge)
The total time commitment for an endoscopy appointment, from check-in to discharge, typically requires two to three hours. This duration is significantly longer than the actual scoping time, accounting for all necessary steps until the patient is cleared to go home.
The initial phase, check-in and pre-procedure preparation, often takes between 30 and 60 minutes. During this time, the medical team handles administrative tasks, reviews consent forms, and prepares the patient for sedation. Preparation includes placing an intravenous (IV) line to administer the relaxing medication and attaching monitoring equipment to track the patient’s vital signs throughout the procedure.
Following the procedure, the patient is moved to a recovery area for observation, which is usually the longest segment of the visit. Recovery time allows the effects of the sedation to wear off safely, typically lasting between 60 and 90 minutes. Patients must be fully alert and meet specific discharge criteria before release, and a responsible adult must drive them home.
Procedure Duration by Endoscopy Type
The actual time spent with the endoscope inserted is relatively brief, but it varies significantly based on the anatomical area examined.
An Upper Endoscopy, or Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), examines the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). A routine diagnostic EGD is generally the quickest type, typically requiring only five to 15 minutes of active scoping time. This short duration is due to the quick navigation through the upper digestive tract. If minor interventions or extensive examination are required, the time may extend toward 20 or 30 minutes.
A Colonoscopy, which examines the entire large intestine, requires a slightly longer duration. A standard diagnostic colonoscopy, where no abnormalities are found, generally takes about 15 to 30 minutes. A significant portion of this time is dedicated to the careful withdrawal of the scope, which should last at least six minutes to ensure a thorough search for polyps along the colon lining.
Variables That Extend the Procedure Time
While the baseline time for each procedure is predictable, certain events encountered during the examination can add considerable time. The most common factor that extends the procedure is the need to perform therapeutic interventions.
Therapeutic Interventions
If the physician discovers a polyp, a polypectomy is performed to remove it, which adds time to the examination. The complexity and size of the polyp determine the added duration; a simple removal may take a few extra minutes, but the resection of large or complex polyps can extend the procedure toward 45 to 60 minutes or more. Taking multiple tissue samples (biopsies) for laboratory analysis also requires additional time, as the physician must carefully maneuver instruments through the scope to collect the samples. Complex therapeutic procedures, such as stopping active bleeding or placing a stent, also increase the intervention time.
Anatomical and Preparation Challenges
Difficulty navigating the endoscope due to patient anatomy, such as severe angulation of the colon, can lengthen the time required. Poor bowel preparation is another factor. Inadequate preparation obscures the view, forcing the endoscopist to spend more time cleaning the area or potentially terminating and rescheduling the procedure.