Endoscopy – Laproscopy

Endoscopy has advanced in recent years, enabling some forms of surgery using a modified endoscope. This makes the surgery less invasive.

Fast facts on endoscopy

Here are some key points about endoscopy.  

• Endoscopies are quick and relatively safe procedures.
• The first endoscope was designed in 1806.
• The main reasons for endoscopy are investigation, confirmation, and treatment.
• Endoscopy can be used to remove tumors or polyps from the digestive tract.

Endoscope use in surgery

Endoscopy has advanced in recent years, enabling some forms of surgery using a modified endoscope. This makes the surgery less invasive. Procedures such as the removal of the gallbladder, sealing and tying the fallopian tubes, and the removal of small tumors from the digestive system or lungs are now commonplace. A laparoscope is a modified endoscope used for keyhole surgery (also referred to as laparoscopic surgery). Laparoscopic surgery requires only a small incision and can be used for appendectomies (removal of the appendix), hysterectomies (removal of the uterus), and prostatectomies (removal of prostate tissue). Using this technique, people lose less blood during and after surgery and can recover much faster compared with standard surgical procedures.

Types of endoscopies

Endoscopies are useful for investigating many systems within the human body; these areas include:

• Gastrointestinal tract: esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), small intestine (enteroscopy), large intestine/colon (colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy), bile duct, rectum (rectoscopy), and anus (anoscopy)
• Respiratory tract: nose (rhinoscopy), lower respiratory tract (bronchoscopy)
• Ear: otoscopy
• Urinary tract: cystoscopy
• Female reproductive tract (gynoscopy): Cervix (colposcopy), uterus (hysteroscopy), fallopian tubes (falloposcopy)
• Through a small incision: abdominal or pelvic cavity (laparoscopy), interior of a joint (arthroscopy), organs of the chest (thoracoscopy and mediastinoscopy)