Endoscopy, also called endoscopy, involves inserting an optical tube into the body, with the aim of collecting samples, studying disease, or removing tumors.

While some ailments can be observed by indirect studies, others require observing the body directly at the heart of the problem. For the intestines, lungs, esophagus or bladder, a method of observation without risk exists: endoscopy.

Coming from the Greek term endon, which means inside, endoscopy involves inserting a flexible tube (15 to 30cm long) directly into the body. Either through a natural orifice (the mouth, anus) or using a small incision. Endoscopy is therefore often a surgical operation, of a minor nature, but requiring local or general anesthesia (even if the operation does not generally present any pain, its feeling may be unpleasant and cause reactions of the body, for example during the study of the digestive system.)

To perform an endoscopy, the doctor uses a tube called an endoscope, or fiberscope. The latter is flexible, consisting of both a system allowing it to move forward in the body using manually actuated jacks, as well as a lighting device and an optical camera.

However, other devices can also be integrated, depending on the operation and its objective.

• ultrasound machine to get as close as possible to an area you want to study,
• or even thermal tweezers to remove unwanted cells (such as a polyp in the case of the colon study).

Should we say endoscopy or fibroscopy? The two. Historically, the term endoscopy is the original one. We owe it to the French surgeon Antonin Jean Desormeaux (1815-1894), who was the first to invent the endoscope technique. But the revolution took place after the introduction of optical fibers (on the same system that is now used to transmit digital data), in the 1950s. It is from there that we speak of fiberscope, or fibroscopy. Nowadays it is the fiber method which is still used, we can therefore speak of fibroscopy for each endoscopy.

The word “endoscopy” designates the action of inserting an observation tube. Depending on where it is introduced, the term may vary:

• Arthroscopy: in the joints
• Colonoscopy / Colonoscopy: in the colon, large intestine
• Cystoscopy: in the bladder
• Upper Digestive Endoscopy: in the esophagus
• Bronchoscopy: in the bronchi
• Laparoscopy / Laparoscopy: in the abdominal cavity
• Gastroscopy: in the stomach

These preparations will of course be discussed with your doctor, but here are some of them, for example in the case of a colonoscopy:

The preoperative discussion

As before any operation, the important thing is the discussion. Your doctor will ask you to report your possible health problems, allergies, and treatments. It will generally be necessary to avoid in the days preceding the taking of drugs which cause bleeding or other anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulants.

Transportation after the exam

Be ready to go back from your operation. It is therefore not recommended to drive the day of the endoscopy, it will therefore be necessary to prepare for your return.

Diet before the exam

Three days before the exam, it is advisable to practice a diet without fiber. Indeed, the presence of fibers in the digestive system will “cloud” the view of the endoscope. It will therefore be necessary to eliminate bread, cereals, fibrous meats, as well as vegetables and fruits. On the day of the examination, you must be fasting (not having eaten), and avoid smoking.

Washing of stomach or intestines

For digestion-related endoscopies, gastric or intestinal lavage may be prescribed. It is a question of drinking a lot of water of clear drinks (water, tea, broth), with the prescribed sachets or bottles.

The examination itself depends on the target location. In the majority of cases, it takes place in a hospital or doctor’s office, with anesthesia. The practitioner begins by introducing the endoscope, either through the natural opening (mouth or anus), or directly through an incision made on the patient. Then, he maneuvers while observing the course thanks to the on-board camera, then once the examination is finished, take out the endoscope and close the incision (very small) that he has created if necessary.

The operation may seem impressive, but the complications are generally very limited to a few temporary pains, or feelings of bloating in the case of a digestive examination.

Nevertheless, endoscopy remains a general or local anesthesia, with their own side effects. Finally, in the rarest cases, a perforation of an organ or tube is always possible in the event of improper handling during the operation. Hence the interest in staying in touch with your doctor in the hours and days following the operation, to ensure that everything went well. Symptoms to worry about are persistent pain, fever, or bleeding.