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The secrets of the endoscope: How does this tiny tool reveal the secrets of the body's interior?
Endoscopy is a medical procedure used to look inside the body. This small device, unlike many other medical imaging technologies, is inserted directly into a cavity in the body. An endoscope allows doctors to examine the interior of hollow organs or cavities. There are many different types of endoscopy, and depending on the area of the body and the type of procedure, this technique can be performed by either a physician or a surgeon. The patient can be fully awake during the procedure or under anesthesia.
Among endoscopic procedures, "esophagogastroduodenal endoscopy" is the most commonly mentioned.
History of endoscopy
There are many fascinating stories in the development of endoscopy. Adolf Kussmaul was fascinated by the technique by which sword swallowers were able to painlessly insert a sword down their throats, which inspired him to insert a hollow tube to peer inside. The problem he then faced was how to illuminate the inside of the tube, since lighting at the time still relied on candles and oil lamps. The term "endoscope" was first used by engineer Charles Chevalier in 1855 to describe Désormeaux's urethroscope. Between 1894 and 1895, at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, John Macintyre developed a self-luminous endoscope, pioneering a more advanced endoscopic technology.
Medical Uses
Endoscopy can be used to investigate digestive symptoms including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The technology is also widely used in diagnostics, most commonly by performing a biopsy to check for anemia, bleeding, inflammation, or digestive system cancer. The use of endoscopes is not limited to inspections, but can also be used for treatment, such as stopping bleeding, dilating a narrowed esophagus, removing polyps, or removing foreign bodies.
Many patients with Barrett's esophagus undergo endoscopy too often and should follow a more reasonable frequency of screening, professional organizations recommend.
Application of endoscope
Endoscopy is used by healthcare providers to examine the following areas of the body:
- Digestive tract: esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, etc.
- Respiratory tract: nose, throat, bronchi, etc.
- Urinary system: bladder, ureters, etc.
- Female reproductive system: uterus, ovaries, etc.
- Internal joints (e.g., arthroscopy)
- Chest and abdomen (e.g. thoracoscopy)
Endoscopes are not limited to medical use, but can also be used for internal inspection of technical systems and find applications in many other areas.
Risks of endoscopy
Endoscopy is not without risks, the main risks include infection, over-sedation, intestinal or esophageal lacerations and bleeding. Although tears usually require surgery, some cases may be treated with antibiotics and intravenous fluids. There may also be slight bleeding from the site of the biopsy or removal of the polyp, but usually this bleeding stops on its own or is controlled with cautery. In most cases, these risks are quite rare and should be discussed further between the doctor and the patient.
After the endoscopy
Following the endoscopy, the patient will be observed and monitored by qualified personnel in the endoscopy suite or recovery area until the effects of the sedative medications have significantly worn off. After the test, patients sometimes experience mild throat irritation, which is usually relieved by gargling with salt water or drinking chamomile tea. The air used during the test may cause the patient to feel bloated in the abdomen, but these symptoms are mild and temporary.
When the patient has fully recovered, they will be told when to resume their normal diet (usually within a few hours) and allowed to go home. If sedation is used during the exam, most facilities require that the patient be escorted home by someone else and should not drive or operate machinery that day. Patients who are not sedated can leave on their own.
With the evolution of medical technology, the use of endoscopes is becoming more and more extensive. It is not only a tool for doctors, but also an important way for us to understand our physical health. And in the future, how will this technology affect our medical practices and health decisions?
