Endoscopy is a medical procedure in which a tube with a tiny camera and fiber optic light is passed through a patient's mouth, anus or a small incision to get an inside view of various organs and parts of the body. The camera projects the images on a large screen, affording doctors an accurate internal view. Endoscopy not only allows doctors to take needed biopsies for further testing but also enables them to perform certain surgical procedures. The introduction of endoscopy has revolutionized the way surgeons perform their duties.
History
Endoscopes were first introduced in the early 1900s for preventive and diagnostic measures, which they are still used for today. The next few years brought variations and improvements of the endoscope. By the 1960s, fiber-optic endoscopes were widely used. Endoscopic equipment has been modified even more over time with such advancements as smaller tubes, brighter lights and sharper screen images.
Surgical Use
There are a few ways to perform endoscopic surgeries. Operating instruments, such as forceps and scissors, can be brought into the viewing area through other incisions, or many endoscopic instruments can include surgical tools. During carpal tunnel release surgery, the cutting tool is inside the tube, ready for the doctor to cut the ligament and release pressure to the nerve that causes the pain and constricted movement.
Procedures
Endoscopy is used in plastic surgery for face-lifts, breast augmentation and tummy tucks. It can also be used for sinus surgery and certain neurological procedures, such as the removal of brain tumors, intracranial cysts and spinal fluid in the brain. Endoscopy is the general term. There are many types of endoscopic instruments and surgeries that are used for different parts of the body. Two examples are laparoscopic surgery, which is used to perform procedures in the stomach or pelvic region, and a colonoscopy, in which a colonoscope is inserted in the anus to observe the large intestine.
Risks
The risks for endoscopic surgery are the same for any type of surgery. There is a possibility of infection or an adverse reaction to general anesthesia. There is also a slight risk of nerve, tendon or blood vessel damage, but the advantages of endoscopic surgery far outweigh the risks.
Reduces Scarring
With endoscopic surgery, the patient has less scars and incisions as opposed to open surgery. In endoscopic sinus surgery, a tube is inserted through the nostrils, which eliminates scarring altogether. During endoscopic neurological surgery, doctors no longer have to make large incisions across the scalp or disturb a substantial amount of brain tissue to reach their target area.
Other Advantages
Because a longer, more complex operation is avoided, an endoscopic surgery provides the patient with a shorter recovery time and less pain following the procedure. Some endoscopic procedures, such as sinus and carpal tunnel surgery, require no hospitalization. Endoscopy is a more accurate way to analyze a problem area than with X-rays. With endoscopy, doctors get an up-front, more detailed view of the color and texture of the problem area.
Advancement of Technology
A new procedure now used to diagnose previously unreachable areas of the digestive tract falls into the endoscopy field; however, in this case no tubes are inserted into the body. With capsule endoscopy, the patient swallows a small pill that contains a light and camera. As the capsule passes through the body, it takes thousands of pictures that are transferred to an outside device for the doctor to download and view. The capsule eventually leaves the body during a bowel movement.
Tags: endoscopic surgery, carpal tunnel, endoscopic instruments, parts body, problem area, procedures such
