Endoscopy

What is an endoscope?

During an endoscopy, the doctor inserts a tool called an endoscope into a person’s body. Most endoscopes are thin tubes with a light and camera at the end. Examples include:

• Bronchoscope 
• Cystoscope 
• Colonoscope 
• Endoscope 
• Laparoscope 
• Laryngoscope 
• Mediastinoscope 
• Thoracoscope 

The endoscope's length and flexibility dependtong on the part of the body that the doctor needs to see. For example, a straight, rigid endoscope might help a doctor look at the airway. While a flexible one might help a doctor view the inside of the colon.

Other tools used during an endoscopy

Typically, an endoscope has an opening that the doctor can use to insert special tools. These tools can collect tissue or provide treatment.

Types of tools include:

• Flexible forceps, which are tong-like tools, take a tissue sample.
• Biopsy forceps, which can remove a tissue sample or a suspicious growth.
• Cytology brushes, which take cell samples.
• Suture removal forceps, which remove stitches inside the body.
• Snares, which are wire loops that are used to remove growths called polyps.
• Cautery tools, which use heat to cut tissue or seal off (cauterize) sites that are bleeding.
• Balloons, which are used to expand narrowed areas (stenosis) or help position the endoscope.

Why you might need an endoscopy

Your doctor may recommend an endoscopy to:

• Screen for and prevent cancer. 
• Diagnose a disease or find out the cause of symptoms. 
• Give treatment.

For example, doctors use a type of endoscopy called a colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer. During a colonoscopy, your doctor might remove polyps that could otherwise develop into cancer.

The type of endoscopy your doctor will recommend depends on the part of the body under examination.

Is it painful to have an endoscopy?

Endoscopy is usually not painful, but you may feel some mild discomfort, depending on the type of procedure and whether you get medicine to help you relax or control pain. If you do receive medicine, you might receive pain medicine (anesthesia), sedation, or both.

Some endoscopies, like direct flexible laryngoscopy, are done without sedation. The areas where the endoscope will be inserted will be numbed, and you stay awake and alert.

If you are anxious or nervous, or for some simpler endoscopies like certain cystoscopies, you might be given minimal sedation to help you relax. You will still be awake and able to respond. You may feel some pressure or movement, but not pain.

For procedures such as colonoscopy, moderate (conscious) sedation is often used. You can still respond if needed, but you might feel very drowsy, fall asleep, or not remember the procedure afterward.

For more complex procedures, deep sedation with general anesthesia may be used. You will be fully asleep. You might get oxygen or need a breathing tube, and an anesthesia specialist will closely monitor you the entire time.