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What is endoscopy?

October 15, 2022

What is endoscopy?
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An endoscopy is a surgical procedure wherein your doctor uses specialised devices to examine and operate on your body’s interior organs and veins. It enables doctors to view your body without creating extensive incisions.

A surgeon puts an endoscope into the body through a small incision or orifice, like the mouth. An endoscope is a tube with a camera that lets your doctor view the inside. On the endoscope, your doctor can use forceps and scissors to operate or remove tissue for biopsy.

Why does one need an Endoscopy?

Endoscopy allows the doctor to check an organ without a significant incision. The doctor can view what the endoscope sees on a screen in the operating room.

Endoscopy is commonly used to

  • Assist your doctor in determining the source of any unusual symptoms you are experiencing
  • Endoscopic biopsy is the removal of a tiny sample of tissue that can subsequently be submitted to a lab for further examination.
  • Assist your doctor in seeing your body during surgical treatment, like mending a stomach ulcer or removing gallstones or tumours.

Suppose you have signs of one of the following disorders. In that case, your doctor may suggest an endoscopy:

Before endoscopy, your doctor will assess your symptoms, do a medical examination, and potentially request specific blood tests. These tests will assist your doctor in determining the most likely cause of the symptoms. These tests may also assist them in determining if the issues may be handled without endoscopy or surgery.

How should one prepare for an endoscopy?

Your doctor will provide you with detailed information regarding the gut wall. Most forms of endoscopy need you to fast for up to 12 hours before the operation. Some clear beverages, such as juice or water, may be consumed at least two hours before treatment. Your doctor will explain this to you.

To empty your system, your doctor may prescribe laxatives or enemas the night before the surgery. This is frequent, with operations affecting the Digestive system and the anus. Before the endoscopy, your doctor will perform a physical examination and review your complete medical history and past procedures.

Make sure your doctor knows your prescriptions, including over-the-counter meds and nutritional supplements. Inform your doctor of any allergies you may have. Certain medicines, particularly anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents, may need to be discontinued. Since the anaesthesia may cause you to feel groggy following the surgery, you should arrange for another person to drive you home.

Types of endoscopies

Endoscopies can be used to investigate a variety of systems inside the human body, including

  • Gastrointestinal tract: oesophagus, stomach, duodenum (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), small intestine (enteroscopy), large intestine/colon (colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy), bile duct, rectum (rectoscopy), and anus (anoscopy)
  • Respiratory tract: nose (rhinoscopy), lower respiratory tract (bronchoscopy)
  • Ear: otoscopy
  • Urinary tract: cystoscopy
  • Female reproductive tract (gynoscopy): Cervix (colposcopy), uterus (hysteroscopy), fallopian tubes (falloposcopy)
  • Through a small incision: abdominal or pelvic cavity (laparoscopy), the interior of a joint (arthroscopy), organs of the chest (thoracoscopy and mediastinoscopy)

Latest Technologies

Endoscopy, like other technology, is constantly evolving. Endoscopes of recent generations employ high-definition imaging to provide pictures with remarkable detail. Endoscopy can also be combined with imaging technologies or surgical procedures.

Here are a few examples of cutting-edge endoscopic technologies.

  • Capsule endoscopy: When other tests are inconclusive, a novel procedure called capsule endoscopy may be done. You ingest a little tablet containing a tiny camera during capsule endoscopy. The capsule goes along your digestive tract painlessly, creating hundreds of photos of your intestines as it does so.
  • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): ERCP combines X-rays with upper Gastrointestinal endoscopy to identify and treat bile and pancreatic duct disorders.
  • Chromoendoscopy: Chromoendoscopy applies a specific dye or stain on the gut wall during an endoscopic operation. The dye aids the doctor in determining whether there is anything wrong with the gut lining.
  • Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): EUS combines an ultrasound with an endoscopy. This enables doctors to observe organs and other things that would not be seen during standard endoscopy. A tiny needle is introduced further into the organ or structure to extract tissue for examination under a microscope. This is known as fine needle aspiration.
  • Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR): EMR is a technology that assists surgeons in removing malignant tissue from the digestive tract. A needle is placed via the endoscope to inject a liquid beneath the aberrant tissue during EMR. This helps separate the malignant tissue from the remaining layers, making removing it more accessible.
  • Narrow Band Imaging (NBI): NBI employs a specific filter to improve the contrast between arteries and mucosa. The mucosa is the digestive tract’s inner lining.

Procedure

The technique will be determined in part by the purpose of the endoscopy.

Endoscopies are performed for three primary reasons:

  • Investigation: An endoscope can be used to look for a source of symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal discomfort, breathing difficulties, stomach ulcers, trouble swallowing, or gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Confirming a diagnosis: Endoscopy can be used to perform a biopsy to confirm cancer or other illness diagnoses.
  • Treatment: Endoscopy can be performed to directly treat an ailment, such as cauterising (sealing with heat) a bleeding artery or removing a polyp.

Endoscopy is sometimes coupled with another treatment, such as an ultrasound scan. It allows the ultrasound probe to be placed close to organs that are difficult to see, such as the pancreatic.

Modern endoscopes may include sensitive LEDs that employ narrow-band imaging. This imaging employs specialised blue and green wavelengths that allow the doctor to detect precancerous abnormalities.

Risks associated with Endoscopy

Endoscopy is far less likely to cause bleeding and infection than open surgery. Nonetheless, because endoscopy is a medical treatment, there is a considerable risk of bleeding, infection, and other uncommon problems such as

  • Chest discomfort
  • Organ injury, including potential perforation fever
  • Continuous discomfort in the endoscopic site
  • Redness and swelling at the location of the incision

After Endoscopy

The majority of endoscopies are performed as outpatient procedures. This implies that you can travel home that same day.

Your doctor will use stitches to repair incision wounds and carefully bandage them immediately following the surgery. Next, your doctor will tell you how to manage this injury on your own.

After that, you’ll probably have to stay in the hospital for about one to two hours to let the sedative wear off. Then, you will be driven home by a friend or family member. Prepare to spend the rest of the day relaxing when you get home.

People Also Ask

1. What is endoscopy a test for?

Endoscopies are performed for three primary reasons:

  • Investigation: An endoscope can be used to look for a source of symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal discomfort, breathing difficulties, stomach ulcers, trouble swallowing, or gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Confirming a diagnosis: Endoscopy can be used to perform a biopsy in order to confirm cancer or other illness diagnoses.
  • Treatment: Endoscopy can be performed to directly treat an ailment, such as cauterising (sealing with heat) a bleeding artery or removing a polyp.

2. Is an endoscopy painful?

Upper endoscopies are often outpatient procedures, which means you can go home the same day. The operation should be unpleasant but not painful. An intravenous sedative or another sort of anaesthetic will be administered to you. After the surgery, you should be driven home by someone.

3. What diseases can be detected by an endoscopy?

  1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
  2. Ulcers.
  3. Cancer link.
  4. Inflammation or swelling.
  5. Precancerous abnormalities such as Barrett’s oesophagus.
  6. Celiac disease.
  7. Strictures or narrowing of the oesophagus.
  8. Blockages.

Disclaimer: We recommend consulting a Doctor before taking any action based on the above shared information.


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Gastro Sciences

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