Endoscopy

Endoscopy uses a narrow tube with a camera and light source at its tip to investigate the upper GI tract and examine an organ or tissue portion thoroughly. While performing an endoscopy, surgeons can take images for diagnostic purposes or carry out minor procedures. Endoscopes are tiny, minimally invasive instruments that can enter the gastrointestinal tract through the rectum or mouth. At the end of the tube, the camera captures pictures of the surgical area and transfers them to a monitor in the doctor's rooms.

Capsule endoscopy involves the use of a vitamin-sized camera that is digested, and as the device moves through the digestive tract, it takes many pictures from which the data is sent to a device on a belt around the person's waist. A fitted light helps view the inside of the GI tract easily.

Surgeons perform an endoscopy to carry out the following procedures:

• A colonoscopy helps examine the inside of the large intestine to investigate the cause of bleeding or pain and check for abnormalities. A colonoscopy will also determine the cause of gastrointestinal bleeding, constipation, diarrhoea and stomach pain. The surgeon inserts surgical tools through the endoscope to remove colon polyps or thick abnormal lining and take tissue samples for biopsy. A biopsy confirms or rules out colon cancer.
• Gastroscopy is a procedure whereby an endoscope moves through the oesophagus into the small intestinal entrance to find the cause of stomach pain and trouble swallowing, also known as dysphagia. During a gastroscopy, the surgeon may also treat bleeding or remove polyps and tumours. Dr Boesack conducts such an investigation to diagnose gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and stomach ulcers.