Endoscopy (Reflection): Treatment, Effect & Risks

To enable the detection of disease triggers and a related diagnosis, medical technology procedures, such as endoscopy, are helpful, allowing physicians to see inside the body. This technique likewise enables targeted differential diagnosis.

What is endoscopy?

Behind the exact name endoscopy is a method that is suitable for the reflection of internal organ areas. Endoscopy is a complicated application suitable for displaying body spaces and hollow organs from the inside. By varying the equipment, endoscopy can be used to remove tissue, as it were. The medical technology used in endoscopy is based on a special device called an endoscope. Behind the exact name endoscopy is a method that is suitable for the mirroring of internal organ areas. In particular, organs and organ systems that are otherwise difficult to access from the outside and without surgical intervention can be examined with an endoscopy. Under these circumstances, the attending physicians can also perform so-called minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Function, effect, application and goals

Different types of endoscopes are used in endoscopy. Both rigid and movable devices combined with video technology are used. In medicine, endoscopy is used where examinations of the respiratory system and mediastinum, which are difficult to access, are involved. Other applications of endoscopy include examinations of the entire gastrointestinal tract, joints, urinary bladder and urinary tract systems, and the eye. Endoscopy also proves its worth in the examination of the ear, nose and pharynx, as well as in the scope of mirroring the female reproductive organs, the thorax and the abdominal cavity. Various optical elements represent the functional basis of endoscopy. During endoscopy, an artificial light source generates the required illumination is directed into the body cavities through a special cold light guide. Cold light is preferred because normal light in endoscopy would cause burns to the sensitive tissue structures. Through another lens, the attending physician views the hollow organ. An image-transmitting system is integrated between the two objects. In endoscopy, all individual segments are located in a special tube that can be inserted into the respective organs to be viewed. Nowadays, the imaging components are equipped in such a way that camera guidance can be guaranteed in all directions. For this purpose, the high-quality round-view prisms are processed in endoscopy. The effects that can be achieved by means of endoscopy, are based on suitable light sources, the appropriately designed light and image guide. In addition, various lenses and technical aids such as small scalpels can be attached to the endoscope. These are operated from outside the body. For this reason, extremely precise and complicated surgical methods can be performed within the scope of endoscopy without cutting open the body from the outside. Further developments of the devices in endoscopy are therefore used in brain diagnostics and anesthesia-free examination under certain conditions. Currently, endoscopy is predominantly coupled with computer-assisted imaging techniques. In addition, zoom and chromo-endoscopy are suitable for color imaging and high-resolution, extremely detailed images.

Risks and hazards

When performing endoscopy, professional supervision and control are absolutely necessary. In addition, during endoscopy, it may be essential to provide immobilization in the context of specifically tailored sedation. The side effects that occur during an endoscopy always depend on the type of endoscope as well as the particular examination. The risks associated with an endoscopy are rather low. The psychological and physical stress for patients could be reduced quite significantly by endoscopy. In addition, patients benefit from the much shorter hospital stay. In this context, endoscopy is even an examination option that can certainly be performed on an outpatient basis.When surgical treatments can be performed by endoscopy as laparoscopy, the positive effects for patients are smaller scars and better wound healing. Complications of endoscopy include organ puncture, internal bleeding, or temporary impairment of cardiovascular function. For this reason, endoscopy is not suitable for patients suffering from heart failure, disorders of normal blood clotting, or acute intestinal infections.