Endoscopy: Types, Preparation, Procedure & Risks

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Medical News TodaySubscribeEndoscopy: What to know

Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M.D., MPH — Written by Tim Newman and Molly Burford — Updated on January 6, 2023

Types
Preparation
Procedure
Risks and side effects
Recovery
Takeaway

Endoscopy is the insertion of a long, thin tube directly into the body to observe an internal organ — such as the gastrointestinal tract — in detail. Doctors can also use it in imaging, surgery, and other tasks.

Endoscopies are minimally invasive and involve openings of the body such as the mouth or anus.

Alternatively, they can be inserted into small incisions, for instance, in the knee or abdomen. Surgery completed through a small incision and assisted with special instruments, such as the endoscope, is called keyhole surgery.

Because modern endoscopy has relatively few risks, delivers detailed images, and is quick to carry out, it has proven incredibly useful in many areas of medicine. Today, an estimated 75 million endoscopies are carried out each year in the United States.

In this article, we will explain some of the types of endoscopy, why and how they are performed, the general procedure, and any potential risks.

Fast facts on endoscopy

Here are some key points about endoscopy.

Endoscopies are quick and relatively safe procedures.
The first endoscope was designed in 1806.
The main reasons for endoscopy are investigation, confirmation, and treatment.
Endoscopy can be used to remove tumors or polyps from the digestive tract.

Types of endoscopies

Endoscopies are useful for investigating many systems within the human body; these areas include:

Gastrointestinal tract: esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), small intestine (enteroscopy), large intestine/colon (colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy), bile duct, rectum (rectoscopy), and anus (anoscopy)
Respiratory tract: nose (rhinoscopy), lower respiratory tract (bronchoscopy)
Ear: otoscopy
Urinary tract: cystoscopy
Female reproductive tract (gynoscopy): Cervix (colposcopy), uterus (hysteroscopy), fallopian tubes (falloposcopy)
Through a small incision: abdominal or pelvic cavity (laparoscopy), interior of a joint (arthroscopy), organs of the chest (thoracoscopy and mediastinoscopy)

What is a capsule endoscopy?

Capsule endoscopy was developed in the mid-1990s and involves a wireless camera. The camera is small enough to fit into a capsule (roughly the size of a vitamin tablet) and can, therefore, be swallowed.

As the capsule travels through the digestive tract, it takes thousands of pictures, which are transmitted to a device attached to a wearable belt.

A capsule endoscopy images the small intestine, a difficult region to image using standard endoscopy. It is also very useful for examining the small intestinal mucosa and diagnosing Crohn’s disease. The capsule usually passes through the digestive system within 24–48 hours.

While capsule endoscopy has been deemed a sufficient alternative to an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, limitations are observed, including clear visualization and active movements that need controlling. To remedy this issue, magnetic manipulation is used.

Preparing for an endoscopy

An endoscopy does not require an overnight stay in the hospital and usually only takes around 1 hour to complete. The doctor will provide instructions about the preparation for the procedure.

For many types of endoscopy, the individual needs to fast for around 12 hours, though this varies based on the type.

For procedures investigating the gut, laxatives may be taken the night before to clear the system.

A doctor will conduct an examination before the endoscopy. It is important to mention all current medications (including supplements) and any previous procedures.

Endoscopy procedure

The procedure will depend to some extent on the reason for the endoscopy.

There are three main reasons for carrying out an endoscopy:

Investigation: If an individual is experiencing vomiting, abdominal pain, breathing disorders, stomach ulcers, difficulty swallowing, or gastrointestinal bleeding, for example, an endoscope can be used to search for a cause.
Confirmation of a diagnosis: An endoscopy can carry out a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis of cancer or other diseases.
Treatment: An endoscope can treat an illness directly; for instance, endoscopy can be used to cauterize (seal using heat) a bleeding vessel or remove a polyp.

Sometimes, an endoscopy will be combined with another procedure such as an ultrasound scan. It can be used to place the ultrasound probe close to organs that can be difficult to image, such as the pancreas.

Modern endoscopes sometimes come with sensitive lights that use narrow-band imaging. This type of imaging uses specific blue and green wavelengths that allow the doctor to spot precancerous conditions more easily.

An endoscopy typically happens while the person is conscious, although sometimes the person will receive local anesthetic (commonly an anesthetic spray to the back of the throat). Often, the person is sedated.

For endoscopy procedures involving entry through the mouth, a mouth guard will protect the teeth and lips as the tube is inserted.

Endoscope use in surgery

Endoscopy has advanced in recent years, enabling some forms of surgery using a modified endoscope. This makes the surgery less invasive.

Procedures such as the removal of the gallbladder, sealing and tying the fallopian tubes, and the removal of small tumors from the digestive system or lungs are now commonplace.

A laparoscope is a modified endoscope used for keyhole surgery (also referred to as laparoscopic surgery).

Laparoscopic surgery requires only a small incision and can be used for appendectomies (removal of the appendix), hysterectomies (removal of the uterus), and prostatectomies (removal of prostate tissue).

Using this technique, people lose less blood during and after surgery and can recover much faster compared with standard surgical procedures.

Risks and side effects of endoscopy

An endoscopy is a relatively safe procedure. However, there are certain risks involved. Risks depend on the area that is being examined.

Risks of endoscopy may include:

over-sedation, although sedation is not always necessary
feeling bloated for a short time after the procedure
mild cramping
a numb throat for a few hours due to the use of local anesthetic
infection of the area of investigation, which most commonly occurs when additional procedures are carried out at the same time (the infections are normally minor and treatable with a course of antibiotics)
persistent pain in the area of the endoscopy
perforation or tear of the lining of the stomach or esophagus, a rare but serious complication
internal bleeding, usually minor and sometimes treatable by endoscopic cauterization
complications related to preexisting conditions

Any of the following symptoms should be reported to a doctor:

dark-colored stool
shortness of breath
severe and persistent abdominal pain
chest pain
vomiting blood

Recovering from an endoscopy

Recovery will depend on the type of procedure. For an upper endoscopy, which lets a doctor examine the upper gastrointestinal tract, the person will undergo observation after the procedure. This usually lasts around 1 hour while any sedative medication wears off.

The person should not usually work or drive for the rest of the day because of the sedative effect of the medication used to prevent the pain. Any cognitive effects should be reported to a doctor prior to leaving the procedure area or after.

There may be some soreness. With this type of endoscopy, there may be bloating and a sore throat. However, these usually resolve quickly.

Takeaway

Endoscopic procedures are typically minimally invasive and can be done through the mouth, anus, or in small incisions. These procedures may be used to investigate, diagnose, or treat various conditions.

These procedures have low complication rates, and a person is typically discharged within a few hours. Some side effects may occur, such as a sore throat or bloating. However, they will typically resolve quickly. A person should speak with their doctor if lingering effects occur.

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GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
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How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Ambulatory surgery data from hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers: United States, 2010. (2017).https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr102.pdf
Bergwerk, A. J., et al. (2014). Capsule endoscopy is superior to small-bowel follow-through and equivalent to ileocolonoscopy in suspected Crohn's disease.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24075891/
Brumby, A. M., et al. (2017). Quality of recovery after gastroscopy, colonoscopy, or both endoscopic procedures: An observational pilot study.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28631454/
Endoscopy. (2015).http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancers-in-general/tests/endoscopy
Kim, J.-H., et al. (2021). Capsule endoscopy for gastric evaluation.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8534557/#B6-diagnostics-11-01792
Risks. (2021).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gastroscopy/risks/
Wang, K., et al. (2019). Endoscopic management of iatrogenic gastrointestinal perforations.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468900919300246

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Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M.D., MPH — Written by Tim Newman and Molly Burford — Updated on January 6, 2023

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Endoscopy: Types, Preparation, Procedure & Risks

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Fast facts on endoscopy

Types of endoscopies

What is a capsule endoscopy?

Preparing for an endoscopy

Endoscopy procedure

Endoscope use in surgery

Risks and side effects of endoscopy

Recovering from an endoscopy

Takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

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