Value of fibreoptic oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy: experience with 4000 procedures at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania.

The paper presents the results of a retrospective study and the experiences with 4000 fibreoptic oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopies (EGD), which were performed at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) between 1985 and 1989 in an open access service. Seventy per cent of all patients examined had abnormal findings with duodenal ulcer as the most frequent diagnosis (22%). Pyloric stenosis was seen in 6%, gastric ulcer in 5% and esophageal varices in 4% of all patients. High figures were found for carcinoma of the esophagus (4%) and malignancy of the stomach (5%). Gastritis was diagnosed in 11%. We consider fibreoptic EGD a cost effective and appropriate technology. Because of its high diagnostic yield, we advocate its use in certain centres in developing countries.