Dr David O'Hara
Dr David O’Hara has been a Consultant in Anaesthesia at Broomfield Hospital since 2010. He qualified from University College London Medical School and completed specialist training in Anaesthesia at Barts and The London hospitals.
Dr O’Hara undertook advanced fellowships at the world-famous St Andrew’s Plastic Centre in Chelmsford and at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. He also worked for New Zealand’s Air Ambulance service.
His specialist interests include anaesthesia for laparoscopic ‘keyhole‘ surgery, upper GI surgery and plastic surgery. He has particular expertise in pre-operative assessment of surgical patients including cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and lectures nationally and internationally on this subject.
On a personal level, David enjoys cooking, scuba diving, and teaching.
Click here to download Dr David O’Hara professional CV (PDF)
OGD
An oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD) or simply gastroscopy is a procedure which involves passing a small camera (gastroscope) through the mouth into the oesophagus (gullet), stomach and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). It is mainly a diagnostic procedure sometimes with biopsies, but can be done with a therapeutic intent for specific conditions (eg dilatation).
Before an OGD, you cannot eat or drink for 6 hours, but can take small sips of water up to 2 hours before the procedure.
The procedure can be performed under local anaesthetic throat spray or intravenous sedation. Occasionally, it is done under general anaesthetic.
Our preference is a combination of local anaesthetic throat spray and intravenous sedation. This way, you are practically unaware of what is going on and will have little memory of the procedure. The result is usually a very comfortable and positive experience.
This is important as Mr Lorenzi would be able to carefully examine your oesophagus and stomach without you gagging or moving and you will feel safe and happy to have another OGD in the future if necessary.
A gastroscopy lasts approximately 10-15 minutes. You are allowed to eat and drink as soon as you have regained full consciousness and then go home an hour or so after the procedure.
It is recommended to refrain from driving for 24 hours after an OGD with sedation. If it is important for you to drive on the day of the procedure, please inform Mr Lorenzi or Dr O’Hara and consider the possibility of using only the local anaesthetic throat spray or having the procedure another day.
To download and print our information leaflet about “OGD” please click here (PDF).