Endoscopy
Introduction
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 smallcut (incision) made in the skin when keyhole surgery is being carried out.
This page covers:
What happens during an endoscopy
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 18 Oct 2016
Introduction
Find out what an endoscopy is, including when it's used, how it's carried out, and the associated risks.
What happens during an endoscopy
Endoscopies are usually carried out at local hospitals, although some larger GP surgeries may also offer the procedure. Before having an endoscopy Depending on what part of your body is being examin
Risks
An endoscopy is usually a safe procedure, and the risk of serious complications is very low. Possible complications include: an infection in a part of the body the endoscope is used to examine this
When an endoscopy is used
An endoscopy can be used to: investigate unusual symptoms help perform certain types of surgery An endoscope can also be used to remove a small sample of tissue for further analysis. This is know
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