Upper GI endoscopy uses a thin, flexible camera passed through the mouth to examine the food pipe, stomach and first part of the small intestine. Doctors can take biopsies and treat some problems during the same test. Typical hospital stay: None (day care) Time to plan in India: 1 to 2 days Who needs it?* Persistent acidity, heartburn or indigestion * Difficulty swallowing * Vomiting blood or black stools * Unexplained weight loss or anaemia How it's done1. Fasting for about

ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) combines endoscopy and X-ray to diagnose and treat problems in the bile and pancreatic ducts, such as stones, narrowing or blockages. Typical hospital stay: 1 to 2 days Time to plan in India: 4 to 5 days Who needs it?* Stones in the bile duct * Jaundice from a blocked bile duct * Narrowing or tumours of the bile or pancreatic ducts How it's done1. Sedation or general anaesthesia 2. An endoscope is passed to the opening of

Laparoscopic gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) takes out the gallbladder through small keyhole incisions. It is the standard treatment for painful gallstones and gallbladder inflammation. Typical hospital stay: 1 to 2 days Time to plan in India: 5 to 7 days Who needs it?* Pain from gallstones * Gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis) * Gallstone pancreatitis * Gallbladder polyps in selected cases How it's done1. Ultrasound to confirm stones 2. General anaesthesia 3. The