What Is an Endoscopy?

Endoscopy is a medical procedure that uses a flexible tube, light and a tiny camera called an endoscope to see inside your body. The minimally invasive procedure provides clear images in real time, making it easier for providers to diagnose and treat various health conditions.

Why endoscopy matters

Endoscopy is important because it helps health care providers find and treat health issues without traditional surgery. It is commonly used in various medical specialties, including gastroenterology (digestive), pulmonology (lungs), orthopedics (bones, muscles and joints), urology (urine system), neurology (brain), gynecology (women’s health) and otolaryngology (ENT – ear, nose and throat).

Endoscopy offers several benefits:

• Precise diagnosis: Providers can see inside your body directly, which helps them accurately diagnose problems, like stomach or lung diseases, and take tissue samples (biopsies) to be looked at in a lab.
• Less invasive: Unlike traditional surgery, endoscopy involves smaller cuts (incisions) or sometimes none at all. Because it is minimally invasive, it has shorter recovery times, reduced risk of complications and less discomfort for patients.
• Treatment options: Endoscopy isn’t just for diagnosis. Providers can also treat problems during the procedure, like removing abnormal growths (polyps) or stopping bleeding.
• Early detection: Finding problems early, like signs of cancer, means providers can start treatment sooner, leading to better results.
• Personalized care: Endoscopy allows providers to tailor treatment plans to your specific needs, ensuring you get the best possible care.

Types of endoscopy procedures

Endoscopy is used to diagnose and treat various conditions throughout the body. Providers may use different types of scopes depending on the organ and area they are looking at. Here are some common types:

Gastrointestinal: Esophagus, stomach, intestines, rectum and anus

• Anoscope: Checks the lower part of the rectum and anus.
• Capsule endoscopy: Used to examine the small intestine (small bowel). 
• Colonoscope: Used to look at the lining of the colon and rectum.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): Used to check your bile ducts and pancreatic duct.
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): Examines the inside of your digestive tract.
• Enteroscope: Examines the small intestine.
• Upper endoscope: Looks at your esophagus (food pipe), stomach and the first part of your small intestine (duodenum).
• Sigmoidoscope: Checks the last part of the colon (sigmoid colon) and rectum.

Neurological: Head and central nervous system

• Neurodenoscope: Examines the head and brain.

Orthopedic and joint: Bones, joints and ligaments

• Orthopedic endoscopy: Treats issues with the musculoskeletal system, including bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints.
• Arthroscope (joint endoscopy): Examines and treats the inside of joints, like knees and shoulders.

ENT, respiratory and thoracic: Ears, nose, throat, lungs and chest cavity

• Bronchoscope: Looks at the windpipe (trachea) and lungs.
• Laryngoscope: Examines the voice box (larynx) and vocal cords.
• Mediastinoscope: Looks at the organs in the space between the lungs (mediastinum) and nearby lymph nodes.
• Thorascope: Used to look at the chest cavity.

Urinary and pelvic: Urethra, bladder and pelvic organs

• Cystoscope: Looks inside your bladder and urethra (pee tube).
• Hysteroscope: Checks the lining of your uterus.
• Laparoscope: Used to look at the stomach (abdomen) and pelvis.
• Ureteroscope: Examines the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to your bladder.

How an endoscopy is done

Your provider may prescribe an endoscopy to examine your body and determine what’s causing any health issues you’re having. It usually does not require a hospital stay and is done on an outpatient basis. Depending on the type of procedure, it can take 30 minutes to two hours.

Before your endoscopy

The preparation can vary depending on the type of endoscopy you’re having, whether through a natural body opening or small incisions. Here’s what to know:

• Fasting and cleanse: Depending on what part of your body is being examined, you will probably be asked to stop eating and drinking several hours before your endoscopy. If the procedure involves your gut, laxatives may be taken to help clear your bowels.
• Medications: Your provider may ask you to temporarily stop certain medications or adjust your dosage, especially blood thinners, to reduce the risk of bleeding during the procedure. If you have ongoing conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, your provider will give you specific instructions about your medications. However, do not stop taking any prescribed medicines unless your provider tells you to.
• Transportation: You may be given medicine to help you relax and sleep (a sedative or general anesthesia), so you must have someone drive you home after the exam. Sedation and general anesthesia can affect your judgment and reflexes for the rest of the day, so do not drive or make any important decisions.

During your endoscopy

An endoscopy is usually painless, but you may feel pressure. Depending on the type of scope used, most people only experience mild stomach discomfort or a sore throat. Here’s what to know:

• Anesthesia: Depending on your preference and the type of endoscope used, you may receive mild to moderate sedation or local anesthesia to make you more comfortable and help you sleep. 
• Inserting the scope: A flexible tube with a camera and light is gently inserted through a natural opening, like your mouth, nose or rectum, depending on the procedure being performed. In other areas of your body, your provider may need to make a small cut (incision) to insert the scope and see inside.
• Seeing inside and treating: Your provider will examine tissue and organs to make a diagnosis and may take a biopsy and treat or perform minor surgery, such as removing a tumor or stopping bleeding.

Recovering from your endoscopy

If you were given sedation or anesthesia, you may feel groggy or sleepy for a short time. In this case, you will be taken to a recovery area, where you’ll rest until the medicine's effects wear off. You will need a friend or relative to drive you home after the procedure.

Ask your provider what to expect during recovery. They can guide you on possible side effects, diet changes, activity guidelines and the use of pain medicine (if needed). 

While it’s rare, call your provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Fever and chills
• Belly pain that doesn’t go away
• Dark or black stools (poops)
• Feel dizzy or faint
• A cough that won’t go away or coughing up blood
• Have not had a bowel movement for 3 days after your procedure

Call 911 or have someone take you to the nearest emergency department if you experience any of the following:

• Sudden chest pain
• Difficulty breathing and swallowing or gasping for air 
• Sudden loss of consciousness

Expert care

Endoscopy is a minimally invasive medical procedure that offers accurate diagnosis and treatment options with less discomfort. If you need any endoscopy services, Banner Health is here to help. Our dedicated team uses state-of-the-art technologies and the latest medical procedures to diagnose, biopsy, stage and treat many health conditions.