Endoscopy procedure

The exact procedure used depends on the type of endoscopy and choice of anaesthesia. You may have sedation or a general anaesthetic.

The endoscope is inserted through a natural opening. The doctor may simply make a diagnosis. They may also take a sample of tissue (biopsy) for later analysis in a laboratory.

Alternatively, your doctor could perform minor surgery at the same time. For example, they may place a stent across an obstructing tumour or remove a stone from a bile duct. Once the endoscopy is complete, the endoscope is removed. 

Immediately after the endoscopy

After the endoscopy, you can expect:

• In most cases, you are kept under observation for just an hour or so.
• If you have been given general anaesthetic, you are monitored for longer.
• Some types of endoscopic procedures, such as ERCP, may require an overnight hospital stay to make sure all is well.
• You are given pain relief, if necessary.
• You need someone else to drive you home, or else catch a taxi, because of the effects of medication during surgery.

Possible complications

Possible complications of endoscopy include:

• Perforation of an organ
• Excessive bleeding (haemorrhage)
• Infection
• Allergic reaction to the anaesthesia.
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) after an ERCP.

Taking care of yourself at home

Self-care depends on the type of endoscopy you undergo. Be guided by your doctor, but general suggestions include:

• Most patients are able to resume normal activities within 24 hours to a few days.
• Contact your doctor or go to the hospital if you experience severe abdominal pain, vomiting, or pass blood or have black bowel actions.

Long-term outlook

Recovery time following endoscopy is rapid, usually a few hours to one day or so.

Alternatives to endoscopy

The main alternatives to endoscopy are x-rays for diagnostic procedures or open surgery for treatment procedures.

Diagnoses of the gut may be made by swallowing x-ray contrast (barium) or having it passed into the rectum. The disadvantages of x-ray procedures include:

• An unpleasant taste or discomfort
• No biopsies can be taken for tissue diagnosis
• A therapeutic procedure such as removal of a polyp (tumour) cannot be performed at the same time.

For treatment procedures, instead of accessing the body’s natural openings the abdominal cavity (for example) is opened using one large cut. The disadvantages of open surgery include:

• Longer hospital stay
• Increased risk of complications, including infection
• Longer convalescence (recovery time)
• Comparatively extensive scarring.

Where to get help

• Your doctor
• The hospital or centre where the procedure was performed.

Things to remember

• Endoscopy is a medical procedure that allows a doctor to inspect and observe the inside of the body without performing major surgery.An endoscope is a long, usually flexible tube with a lens at one end and a video camera at the other.Usually, an endoscope is inserted through one of the body’s natural openings, such as the mouth, urethra or anus.