Introduction 

An endoscopy is a procedure where the inside of your body is examined using an endoscope.

Endoscope

An endoscope is a long, thin, flexible tube that has a light source and a video camera at one end. Images of the inside of your body are relayed to a television screen.

Endoscopes can be inserted into the body through a natural opening, such as the mouth and down the throat, or through the anus (via the bottom).

Alternatively, an endoscope can be inserted through a small surgical cut made in the skin (known as keyhole surgery).

What happens during an endoscopy?

An endoscopy is normally carried out while a person is conscious. It is not usually painful, but can be uncomfortable, so a local anaestheticor sedative (medication that has a calming effect) may be given to help you relax.

The endoscope is carefully inserted into your body. Exactly where it enters your body will depend on the part of the body being examined.

An endoscopy can take 60 minutes to carry out, depending on what it's being used for. It will usually be performed on an outpatient basis, which means you will not have to stay in hospital overnight.

Risks

An endoscopy is usually safe, and the risk of serious complications is low.

Possible complications of an endoscopy include an infection in the part of the body that the endoscope is used to examine, and excessive bleeding.

 Types of endoscope 

Some of the most commonly used types of endoscopes include:



colonoscopes – used to examine your large intestine (colon)



gastroscopes – used to examine your oesophagus and stomach



endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) – used to check for gallstones



broncoscopes – used to examine your lungs and airways



Other types of endoscope include:



arthroscopes – used to examine the joints



hysteroscopes – used to examine the womb (uterus) in woman



cystoscopes – used to examine the bladder



An endoscopy can be used to investigate an area of the body if symptoms suggest there might be a problem. It can also be used to help perform some types of keyhole surgery (laparoscopy), such as removing the appendix or gallbladder.

 Is having an endoscopy painful? 

In the majority of cases, no. 

Most people will only experience some mild discomfort, similar to indigestion or having a sore throat. 

The exception is keyhole surgery, such as a laparoscopy or anarthroscopy, which are performed under general anaesthetic (where you are asleep).

Discuss any concerns with staff at the hospital or clinic. They may recommend that you are sedated so you are more relaxed during the procedure.

 Uses of an endoscopy   

An endoscopy is used to investigate unusual symptoms and to help perform types of surgery.  

 Investigating symptoms 

An endoscopy might be recommended to investigate the following symptoms:



experiencing difficulties or pain when swallowing (dysphagia)



persistent abdominal pain



chest pain that is not caused by heart-related conditions



continually feeling sick (nausea) and vomiting



unexplained weight loss



vomiting blood



persistent diarrhoea



blood in your stools



These types of symptoms are usually investigated with a gastroscopy(to examine the upper section of the digestive system) or a colonoscopy (used to examine the bowel). Watch a video on what happens during a colonoscopy.

Other types of endoscopes used to investigate symptoms include:



arthroscope – used to diagnose symptoms such as unexplained joint pain and stiffness



cystoscope – used to diagnose bladder problems such as the involuntary passing of urine (urinary incontinence) and blood in your urine



hysteroscope – used to diagnose problems with the womb, such as unusual vaginal bleeding or repeated miscarriages



endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) – used to take better images of certain internal organs, such as the pancreas, and take tissue samples



An endoscope can also be used to remove a small sample of tissue for further analysis. This is known as a biopsy.

Therapeutic endoscopy

Modified endoscopes that have surgical instruments attached to or passed through them can be used to carry out certain surgical procedures. For example, they may be used to:



remove gallstones, bladder stones or kidney stones



repair a bleeding stomach ulcer



place a stent across areas of narrowing or blockage



tie and seal the fallopian tubes (a technique carried out when a woman wishes to be sterilised) 



remove small tumours from the lungs or digestive system



remove fibroids – non-cancerous growths that can develop inside the womb 



Laparoscopic surgery

A type of endoscope called a laparoscope is used by surgeons as a visual aid when carrying out keyhole surgery (also known aslaparoscopic surgery). During this procedure, small cuts are made, meaning there is less post-operative pain and a faster recovery time compared to traditional open surgery.

Common types of keyhole surgery include:



removal of an inflamed appendix in cases of appendicitis



removing the gallbladder, which is often used to treat gallstones



removing a section of the intestine, which is often used to treat digestive conditions, such as Crohn’s disease or diverticulitis, that do not respond to medication



repairing hernias



removing the womb (hysterectomy)



removing some or all of an organ affected by cancer



Laparoscopies are also widely used to help diagnose many different conditions and investigate certain symptoms.


 


An endoscopy is used to investigate problems with the digestive system 



 

How an endoscopy is performed 

Most endoscopies are carried out at a local hospital, although some larger GP surgeries may offer the procedure.

Before having an endoscopy

Depending on what part of your body is being examined, you may be asked to avoid eating and drinking for several hours beforehand.

If you are having a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, you may also be given a laxative to help clear stools from your bowels.

In some cases, you may also need antibiotics to reduce the risk of an infection.

If you are taking a medicine to thin your blood, such as warfarin orclopidogrel, you may be asked to stop taking it for a few days before having your endoscopy. This is to prevent excessive bleeding during the procedure. However, do not stop taking any prescribed medicine unless your GP or specialist advises you to do so.

The endoscopy procedure

An endoscopy is not usually painful, although it may feel uncomfortable.

Endoscopies do not usually require a general anaesthetic (with the exception of an arthroscopy). However, you may be given a local anaesthetic to numb a specific area of your body. This may be in the form of a spray or lozenge to numb your throat, for example.  

You may also be offered a sedative, which makes you feel more relaxed and less aware of what is going on around you.

The endoscope is carefully guided into your body. Exactly where it enters will depend on the part of your body being examined. This may include your:



throat



anus (the opening through which stools are passed out of the body)



urethra (the tube through which urine passes out of the body)



To perform keyhole surgery (laparoscopy), the endoscope is inserted into a small cut your surgeon makes in your skin.

Depending on the exact nature of the procedure and its objectives, an endoscopy can take anywhere between 15 and 60 minutes to carry out. It will usually be performed on an outpatient basis, which means you will not have to stay in hospital overnight.

Wireless capsule endoscopy

A wireless capsule endoscopy is a relatively new kind of endoscopy procedure. It involves swallowing a capsule that is able to wirelessly transmit images of the inside of your stomach and digestive system. The capsule is the size of a large pill and leaves your body naturally when you go to the toilet.

It's often used to investigate internal bleeding in the digestive system, when there is no obvious cause.

There are some complications associated with wireless capsule endoscopy. Swallowing the capsule can be difficult, as can passing it naturally. The capsule can also get caught in the narrow areas of your bowel, causing a blockage.

After an endoscopy

After having an endoscopy, you will probably need to rest for about an hour until the effects of the local anaesthetic and/or the sedative have worn off. If you choose to take a sedative, you will need to have a friend or relative take you home after the procedure.

If your bladder is being examined (cystoscopy), you may notice some blood in your urine, although this should pass within 24 hours of having the procedure. If you still have blood in your urine after these 24 hours have passed, contact your GP.

Risks of an endoscopy 

An endoscopy is usually a safe procedure and the risk of serious complications is very low.

Possible complications include:



an infection in a part of the body the endoscope is used to examine – which may require treatment with antibiotics



piercing or tearing (perforation) of an organ, or excessive bleeding – which may require surgery to repair damage to the tissues or organ, and sometimes a blood transfusion



Sedation

Sedation is usually safe, but it can occasionally cause complications, including:



feeling or being sick



a burning sensation at the site of the injection



saliva or, rarely, small particles of food falling into the lungs, triggering an infection (aspiration pneumonia)



irregular heartbeat or low blood pressure



breathing difficulties



When to seek medical help

Contact your GP if you notice any signs of infection in the area of your body where the endoscope was inserted. Signs of infection include:



redness



pain



swelling



a discharge of fluids or pus



a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above



A number of other signs could indicate a complication after having an endoscopy. These include:



black or very dark coloured stools



shortness of breath



severe and persistent abdominal pain



vomiting blood



chest pain



Contact your GP or visit the accident and emergency (A&E) department of your local hospital immediately if you notice any of these signs and symptoms.





Endoscopy