Endoscopy Surgery Center

Endoscopy Surgery

Definition

Endoscopy is a way of looking inside the body using a flexible tube that has a small camera on the end of it. This instrument is called an endoscope.

How the Test is Performed

There are many types of endoscopes. Each one is named according to the organs or areas they are used to examine.

For example:

• Arthroscope: Used to look directly in the joints
• Bronchoscope: Used to look in the airways and lungs
• Cystoscope: Used to view the inside of the bladder
• Laparoscope: Used to look directly at the ovaries, appendix, or other abdominal organs

An endoscope is passed through a natural body opening or small cut. For example, a laparoscope is inserted through small surgical cuts in the pelvic or belly area. In men, a urinary tract endoscope is passed through the opening of the urethra.

A gastrointestinal endoscope may be inserted through the mouth or anus. An ultrasound probe can be added to a gastrointestinal endoscope. This is called an endoscopic ultrasound. Depending on the area of interest, this device can also be passed through the mouth or anus.

Small instruments can be inserted through an endoscope and used to take samples of suspicious tissues.