Endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure performed by a doctor using an endoscope. It is used to examine areas inside the human body that are not visible from the outside. Whenever possible, natural body openings are used for this purpose. This means that no incisions are required. In some cases, procedures can also be performed directly using endoscopy.
Here you will find further information as well as a selection of endoscopy specialists and centers.
An endoscope consists of a flexible rubber tube or a rigid metal tube. The doctor inserts this instrument into a body cavity or a hollow organ.
At the end of the endoscope are
These components illuminate the area being examined and magnify it for a clearer view. The camera’s image is transmitted to a monitor outside the body, allowing the doctor to examine the area in detail.
With the help of an irrigation and suction device, tissue samples can be taken or minor procedures can be performed. This is done using special instruments that are inserted through integrated channels.
Rigid endoscopes are particularly suitable for artificial body orifices. Flexible endoscopes are used for all natural body orifices.
Flexible endoscope © de:User:Kalumet - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
An endoscopy is always recommended when a diagnosis inside the body cannot be made using other imaging techniques. A direct view of the area being examined can help the doctor make a diagnosis. Taking a tissue sample for subsequent examination is frequently used in cancer diagnosis.
Endoscopy is also helpful for removing diseased tissue. During a colonoscopy—which is also a form of endoscopy—colon polyps, for example, can be removed directly.
An endoscopy is performed, among other reasons,
The methods and conditions vary depending on which body cavity and organ are to be examined. There are certain areas of the body where endoscopy proves particularly beneficial.
Thoracoscopy allows for the examination of the chest cavity (thorax). The thorax is lined by the pleura, which also enables examination of the lung surface and the pleura. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia.
The endoscope is inserted through a small incision in the skin on the neck, above the sternum.
During bronchoscopy (lung endoscopy), an endoscope is inserted through the trachea into the bronchi of the lungs.
Depending on the extent of the procedure and the patient’s preference, this examination can be performed under either local anesthesia or general anesthesia. A sedative is administered beforehand.
When the stomach is examined endoscopically, the procedure is called a gastroscopy (stomach endoscopy).
As the flexible tube is inserted through the mouth and throat into the stomach, a gag reflex may occur. To counteract this reflex, local anesthesia is administered at regular intervals. Some patients prefer to be given a sedative or undergo brief general anesthesia.
A colonoscopy is performed in the large intestine. Before the endoscopic examination, the bowel must be emptied over several hours using a laxative.
The colonoscopy may be performed
Many patients find rectoscopy and proctoscopy uncomfortable. In most cases, however, they tolerate these procedures well without prior anesthesia.
Endoscopy of the abdominal cavity is also called laparoscopy. General anesthesia is used for this procedure.
A tiny incision is made next to the navel, through which the endoscope is inserted into the abdominal cavity. To give the treating physician the clearest possible view of the interior, the abdomen is inflated.
Nowadays, laparoscopy is used to remove adhesions in the abdominal cavity and inflamed appendixes. Laparoscopy is also the treatment of choice for
Endoscopy is also used with the finest instruments to treat joint problems (arthroscopy). It is used for conditions or procedures
.
In this regard, arthroscopy serves primarily therapeutic purposes.
Complications associated with endoscopy occur only in rare cases. This applies, for example, to bleeding caused by the removal of tissue. Such bleeding is usually stopped during the procedure.
Infections or respiratory and cardiovascular complications occur only in exceptional cases. These are usually attributable to sedatives and pain medications administered beforehand.
Whether a sick leave note is required depends on the extent of the endoscopic examination and the type of anesthesia used. In principle, however, the decision regarding a sick leave note and its duration rests with the treating physician.
However, doctors often do not issue a sick note for outpatient procedures.
Every physician listed in the Leading Medicine Guide has attained the highest level of training and certification within their respective medical specialty society. Furthermore, we contacted this physician based, among other factors, on their case volume (surgeries, treatments, and therapies), which we determined by cross-referencing various publicly available sources. Following discussions with the selected physicians and the directors of the medical facilities, as well as a subsequent internal review, they were admitted to the Leading Medicine Guide.
The quality assurance of the Leading Medicine Guide is further ensured by 8 admission criteria. Each member must meet at least 6 of them:
