Endoscopes are used for direct visualization of human hollow organs and hollow bodies, which may be required in various medical specialties for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes. Endoscopes allow for minimally invasive procedures that are associated with less distress to the patient.
What is an endoscope?
Endoscopes enable minimally invasive procedures that are associated with less stress for those undergoing them. An endoscope is a special thin (up to a maximum of 14 mm in diameter) and tubular instrument that can be used to examine hollow organs of the human organism, in particular the stomach and intestinal area, in more detail in advance of a surgical intervention and, if necessary, to treat them. While endoscopes were previously used primarily for diagnostic purposes (endoscopy or also mirroring), they are now increasingly used as part of minimally invasive procedures that are associated with significantly less stress for the patient (endoscopic surgery).
Forms, types, and species
Depending on the specific application, various endoscopes of different designs and with different optical systems are used. For example, rigid endoscopes feature an optical system composed of sequential lenses and prisms. Rigid endoscopes are used, among others, as laparoscopes (endoscopy of the abdomen), rectoscopes (endoscopy of the rectum), bronchoscopes (endoscopy of the bronchi) or hysteroscopes (endoscopy of the uterus). If the structures to be examined cannot be reached with a rigid endoscope, a flexible endoscope, a so-called fiber endoscope, whose optical system operates via fiber optic bundles that ensure higher brightness, is used. Fiberendoscopes are used especially for endoscopies of the uterus, urinary tract, fallopian tubes and blood vessels. With the help of a video endoscope (electronic endoscope)the images obtained during an endoscopy are displayed on a monitor. In addition, it is possible to obtain the necessary images via a small capsule equipped with a camera during its passage through the gastrointestinal tract, especially the small intestine (video capsule endoscopy).
Structure, function, and mode of action
The structure of an endoscope primarily includes an optical system (usually a camera) and an illumination device at the tip of the instrument, which operates with cold light to avoid heat- or heat-related damage to the structures being examined or operated on. In addition, conventional endoscopes have suction and irrigation systems as well as insertion channels for special instruments (including forceps for tissue removal, ultrasound probes for an endosonography). The structures under examination are made visible with the aid of the optical system, which transmits light from the illumination system to the other end of the endoscope or to a monitor. Depending on the specific field of application, either rigid (fixed tube) or flexible endoscopes (flexible tube), which can be up to 2 m long, are generally used. In addition, pathological changes can be better visualized with the aid of a chromoendoscope, which marks the mucosal areas to be examined (including those of the esophagus and intestines) with a dye. This effect can be additionally enhanced by a zoom endoscope, through which the images to be evaluated can be greatly magnified (up to 100 times). In video capsule endoscopy, a capsule is swallowed and passes through the gastrointestinal tract, sending data to an external storage device for evaluation, and finally is simply excreted in the stool.
Medical and health benefits
Endoscopes are used primarily for diagnostic purposes and exhibit high informative value in addition to their low complication rate. In particular, endoscopic diagnostic procedures are used in internal medicine (laparoscopy, gastroscopy), gynecology (endoscopy of the uterus, fallopian tubes, milk ducts), urology (urethroscopy, cystoscopy), orthopedics (arthroscopy), and ENT (panendoscopy). In addition, a biopsy for the histological detection of pathological changes can be taken from the tissue structures to be examined during an endoscopy with the aid of forceps or a cytology brush.During bronchoscopy, bronchial lavage (irrigation with saline or Ringer’s solution) can be performed immediately if necessary. In addition, endoscopes are increasingly being used in the context of therapeutic measures. For this purpose, the instruments required in each case are guided via insertion channels into the area to be operated on, whereby several endoscopes can be used for more complex interventions. For example, esophageal stenoses (constrictions of the esophagus) can be widened with the aid of an endoscope. Furthermore, stents (plastic, metal tubes) can be inserted to widen constrictions in the ducts of the creek pancreas or gall bladder as part of an endoscopic procedure. Likewise, smaller polyps (in the colon, among other places) can be removed with an endoscope, or gall and bladder stones can be removed, and bleeding stomach ulcers can be staunched with a laser. Minimally invasive endoscopes can also be used to remove the gallbladder, treat knee arthrosis or a hernia.
