Gastroscopy is of two major types: The diagnostic and the therapeutic gastroscopy. The diagnostic gastroscopy is generally performed to determine the cause for abdominal pain or other upper GI Symptoms or any other pre-existing condition or trouble. The procedure helps to identify stomach ulcers, polyps, tumors, gastroesophageal reflux disease hiatal hernia or any other associated condition with the GI tract. Diagnostic gastroscopy is generally an outpatient procedure. The patient can be given a sedative and endoscope in inserted into the mouth. The tube is gradually guided through the oesophagus to the duodenum and every part is examined on the monitor for diagnosis.

The therapeutic gastroscopy on the other hand focuses on the treatment part of the procedure and not just diagnostic. Here, the endoscope is not inserted for mere observation and diagnosis but also for carrying out the procedure and operating the affected part. Depending upon the findings of the diagnostic gastroscopy, the procedure can be converted into therapeutic gastroscopy and surgical treatment can be executed immediately.