What is an endoscopy?
Endoscopy involves taking a look inside body cavities or organs. To do this, the doctor inserts an endoscope, consisting of a flexible rubber tube or a rigid metal tube. A lens with magnification capability and a small camera are attached to the front end. The images taken with this from inside the body are usually transferred to a monitor and stored. To make the area under examination clearly visible, an endoscope also has an air pump, a light source (cold light), irrigation and suction devices. Special instruments can be inserted through integrated channels, which can be used to take tissue samples.
Endoscopy can be used to examine many organs and body cavities, for example:
- Lungs and chest cavity: Endoscopic examination of the lungs is called thoracoscopy, that of the chest cavity mediastinoscopy.
- Bronchi: Endoscopy of the bronchi is called bronchoscopy.
- Abdominal cavity: The abdominal cavity with all its organs is examined by means of laparoscopy (laparoscopy).
- Joints: Endoscopy of a joint (e.g. knee) is called arthroscopy.
When is an endoscopy performed?
In principle, an endoscopic examination is always necessary when the physician cannot make a reliable diagnosis either with the naked eye or with other imaging methods such as X-rays or computer tomography. The physician’s direct view into the interior of an organ or body cavity and the biopsy (tissue removal) that may be necessary for fine-tissue examination help to make the correct diagnosis. Minor surgery, such as the removal of intestinal polyps, is also possible during an endoscopic examination.
An endoscopy is performed:
- to diagnose or monitor the course of various diseases (such as gastric ulcer, meniscus injuries, pneumonia, ovarian cysts)
- for performing minor surgical procedures (e.g. removal of an inhaled foreign body from the lung, tissue sampling)
What do you do during an endoscopy?
A thoracoscopy and mediastinoscopy (endoscopy of the lungs and chest area, respectively) are performed under general anesthesia. Here, the endoscope is inserted through a small incision in the tissue.
In a bronchoscopy (endoscopy of the bronchial tubes), a tube-shaped endoscope is advanced through the mouth into the lungs. This can be done either under general or local anesthesia; in either case, the patient is injected with a sedative beforehand.
During colonoscopy, the endoscope is inserted through the anus, either without anesthesia or under sedation or mild anesthesia. Before the examination, the bowel is emptied with the help of a laxative.
Rectoscopy and proctoscopy (rectoscopy and rectoscopy) are also performed through the anus. Although they are unpleasant for many patients, in most cases they are well tolerated without anesthesia. Special preparation is usually not necessary.
Arthroscopy (joint endoscopy) is the method of choice for interventions on the knee, shoulder, ankle and wrist. Here, endoscopy serves primarily therapeutic purposes.
In some cases, endoscopy can only be performed on an empty stomach, such as gastroscopy, colonoscopy and laparoscopy. Blood-thinning medication must be discontinued in good time before the examination.
What are the risks of endoscopy?
In rare cases, the following complications occur during endoscopy:
- Bleeding in the area of removed tissue (but can usually be stopped during the examination)
- Infections
- @ Respiratory or cardiovascular problems when sedatives or painkillers are administered
