An endoscopy is a procedure where the inside of your body is examined using an instrument called an endoscope.
An endoscope is a long, thin, flexible tube that has a light source and 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 bottom.
An endoscope can also be inserted through a small cut (incision) made in the skin when keyhole surgery is being carried out.
An endoscopy can be used to:
An endoscope can also be used to remove a small sample of tissue for further analysis. This is known as a biopsy.
An endoscopy might be recommended to investigate the following symptoms:
If the gullet (oesophagus), stomach or first part of the small intestine needs to be examined, it’s known as a gastroscopy.
If the bowel needs to be examined, it’s known as a colonoscopy.
Other types of endoscopies used to investigate symptoms include:
Modified endoscopes with surgical instruments attached to them or passed through them can be used to carry out certain types of surgery.
For example, they may be used to:
Laparoscopies are also often used to investigate certain symptoms and help diagnose many different conditions.
What happens during an endoscopy
Endoscopies are usually carried out at local hospitals, although some larger GP surgeries may also offer the procedure.
Depending on what part of your body is being examined, you may be asked to avoid eating and drinking for several hours beforehand.
You may be given a laxative to help clear stools from your bowels if you’re having a colonoscopy to examine the large intestine or a sigmoidoscopy to examine the rectum and lower part of the bowel.
In some cases, you may also need antibiotics to reduce the risk of an infection.
If you’re taking a medicine to thin your blood, such as warfarin or clopidogrel, you may need to stop taking it for a few days before having an endoscopy. This is to prevent excessive bleeding during the procedure.
However, don’t stop taking any prescribed medicine unless your GP or specialist advises you to do so.
Is endoscopy painful?
An endoscopy isn’t usually painful, and most people only experience some mild discomfort, similar to indigestion or a sore throat.
The procedure is usually carried out while you’re conscious. 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 to help you relax and make you less aware of what’s going on around you.
The endoscope will be carefully inserted into your body. Exactly where it’s inserted will depend on the part of your body being examined.
For example, it may be inserted into your:
If you’re having keyhole surgery (laparoscopy), the endoscope will be inserted into a small incision your surgeon makes in your skin.
An endoscopy usually takes between 15 and 60 minutes, depending on what it’s being used for. It will usually be carried out on an outpatient basis, which means you won’t have to stay in hospital overnight.
After an endoscopy
After having an endoscopy, you’ll probably need to rest for about an hour until the effects of the local anaesthetic or sedative have worn off.
If you decide to have a sedative, a friend or relative will need to take you home after the procedure.
If you’ve had a cystoscopy to examine your bladder, you may have blood in your urine for 24 hours afterwards. This should settle, but contact your GP if you still notice it after 24 hours.
An endoscopy is usually a safe procedure, and the risk of serious complications is very low.
Possible complications include:
Sedation is usually safe, but it can occasionally cause complications, including:
Contact your consultant if you notice any signs of infection in the area where the endoscope was inserted.