Endoscopic

Endoscopic describes anything related to or performed with an endoscope, a long, slender instrument containing a light source and camera that is inserted into the body to visualize internal surfaces. Endoscopy refers to the examination itself or to procedures performed with such instruments. Endoscopic techniques are widely used in medicine for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and are considered minimally invasive relative to open surgery.

The equipment typically includes the endoscope, a light source, an imaging system, and accessories such as graspers, biopsy forceps, or dilators. Endoscopes vary from rigid to flexible; flexible endoscopes can reach deeper and navigate curved paths, while rigid types are used in certain applications. Imaging can be standard white light, with enhancements such as narrow-band imaging, and adjunct technologies include endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and capsule endoscopy.

Common applications include gastrointestinal endoscopy (gastroscopy, colonoscopy, ERCP), bronchoscopy for the airways, cystoscopy for the urinary tract, hysteroscopy and colposcopy for the female reproductive tract, and nasal or sinus endoscopy in ENT. Therapeutic use includes biopsy, polypectomy, removal of foreign bodies, dilation of strictures, stent placement, laser or electrocautery treatments, and minimally invasive resections in specialized procedures (e.g., EMR/ESD).

Risks include bleeding, infection, perforation, and adverse reactions to sedation. Procedures are typically performed on an outpatient basis with pre- and post-procedure instructions. Ongoing advances improve resolution, maneuverability, and the scope of therapy, including smaller-caliber devices, enhanced imaging, and new techniques, expanding the role of endoscopy across medical specialties.