What is an endoscopy?
An endoscopy is a procedure in which your doctor uses specialized instruments to view and operate on the internal organs and vessels of your body. It allows surgeons to see problems within your body without making large incisions.
A surgeon inserts an endoscope through a small cut or an opening in the body such as the mouth. An endoscope is a flexible tube with an attached camera that allows your doctor to see. Your doctor can use forceps and scissors on the endoscope to operate or remove tissue for biopsy.
Endoscopic Surgery
Endoscopic surgery is performed using a scope, a flexible tube with a camera and light at the tip. This allows your surgeon to see inside your colon and perform procedures without making major incisions, allowing for easier recovery time and less pain and discomfort. Endoscopic procedures are most often used for diagnosis.
Snaring is the most common surgical procedure that can be performed through any of the endoscopes. A snare is a wire that is like a lasso. The snare is looped over the tumor and tightened; then the wire is electrified to prevent bleeding as it cuts through.
Endoscopies performed by our colon and rectal surgeons to achieve surgeries may include:
Colonoscopy
During this procedure, the anus, rectum and colon are examined using a colonoscope, a flexible tube with a camera and light at the tip. The inside of the colon is examined carefully, looking for signs of disease. A biopsy, a small piece of tissue, may be taken at this time, for later examination under microscope.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
During this procedure, the rectum and sigmoid colon are examined using a scope, similar to a colonscope. The flexible sigmoidoscope is 65 cm long, and is used to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon.
The rigid sigmoidoscopy
The rigid sigmoidoscope is 25cm long and is generally used to examine the rectum.
Anoscopy
During this procedure, your doctor will examine the inside of the anus and anal canal with the anoscope. The surgeon may remove a small piece of tissue, called a biopsy. This biopsy will be examined under a microscope later for signs of disease by a pathologist, a doctor who is expert in looking at cells under the microscope.
