Endoscopy

What is Endoscopy?

Endoscopy is a non-invasive treatment used to evaluate the digestive system in patients. A flexible tube with a light and an attached camera called an endoscope allows your doctor to see images of your digestive system on a colour TV screen.

An endoscope is readily inserted into the oesophagus during an upper endoscopy so the doctor may see the oesophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine. Likewise, endoscopes can be inserted via the rectum into the large intestine (colon) to inspect this region of the gut. Depending on how far up the colon is inspected, this technique is referred to as a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP, is a specialized form of endoscopy that enables imaging of the pancreas, gallbladder, and other tissues. ERCP is also utilized for biopsies and the implantation of stents. Upper endoscopy and ultrasound examination are combined to create endoscopic ultrasound, or EUS, which provides images and data about various digestive system regions.

What is the use of an Endoscopy?

Endoscopy is frequently advised by doctors to assess:

abdominal pain
digestive issues, gastritis, or swallowing issues
gastrointestinal bleeding
alterations to bowel habits causing diarrhoea, or constipation
growth in the colon

A colonoscopy is a form of endoscopy used by doctors to screen for and prevent colorectal cancer. Your doctor may remove growths referred to as polyps during a colonoscopy. Cancer could spread from polyps if they are not removed. Your doctor will advise a particular endoscopy based on the body part being examined.

The following treatments could use an endoscope:

Laparoscopic surgery, which is carried out through tiny skin incisions
Laser therapy, which eliminates cancer cells with a strong laser beam,
Utilizing heat, microwave ablation removes malignant tissue
A surgical procedure called endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection involves inserting an endoscope into the digestive tract.
Photodynamic therapy involves injecting a light-sensitive chemical into a tumour before using a laser to eradicate it.
Medicine administration is another name for medication distribution.

In addition, your doctor might perform a biopsy (tissue removal) using an endoscope to check for the presence of disease. A digestive system issue may also be treated using endoscopy. For instance, the endoscope may be able to stop bleeding by passing devices through it in addition to detecting any active bleeding from an ulcer. Polyps in the colon can be removed with a scope to stop colon cancer from growing. Additionally, gallstones that have entered the bile duct from outside the gallbladder can be removed with ERCP

What are the types of endoscopies?

Endoscopy can be performed for any body part and any region. Here are a few of them:

Arthroscopy: Endoscopy of the joints
Colonoscopy: Endoscopy of the colon
Bronchoscopy: Endoscopy of the lungs
Cystoscopy: Endoscopy of the bladder
Enteroscopy: Endoscopy of the small intestine
Hysteroscopy: Endoscopy of the uterus
Laparoscopy: Endoscopy of the pelvis or the abdominal area
Ureteroscopy: Endoscopy of the ureter

What are the risks of an Endoscopy?

Endoscopy is generally a safe procedure. There are, however, some dangers associated. Risks vary according to the area being looked at.

Oversedation, even while it’s not always required to be sedated.
Mild throat pain for a few hours after the procedure owing to the use of local anaesthetic infection of the region of investigation, which most frequently happens when other procedures are done at the same time.
Feeling bloated for a short while after the treatment
Internal bleeding, typically mild but occasionally treated by endoscopic cauterization
Prolonged pain in the location of the endoscopy perforation or
Tear of the lining of the stomach or oesophagus, a rare but dangerous complication,
lastly, the complications associated with preexisting disorders

Locations

Patna Cancer Centre was established to provide comprehensive cancer care to patients from all over India. The centre has since grown to become a leading cancer treatment and research facility in Jehanabad, Gaya and Patna. Along with a wide range of cancer care services from diagnosis, treatment, and research, to preventive education, the hospital also offers a state-of-the-art surgery suite equipped with the latest surgical equipment and technologies.