If you are facing symptoms like stomach pain, digestive tract bleeding, and chronic constipation, your doctor will need to examine the inside of your body. To do so, they will use endoscopy, which involves a flexible tube attached to a light and a camera. 

Curious to know more about it? Continue reading.

Endoscopy is a method that is effective in examining an individual’s digestive tract without involving any surgeries. Gastroenterologists who specialise in digestive system ailments utilise the method of endoscopies to identify and occasionally treat conditions that affect the oesophagus, small intestine's beginning (duodenum) and the stomach.

The medical word for an upper endoscopy is Esophagogastroduodenoscopy. An upper endoscopy can be performed at a hospital, an outpatient surgery facility, or your doctor's office.

Endoscopy helps to examine an organ inside your body without making a large incision. Regardless, it can also be used to:

• Remove tumours 
• Treat problems with sinuses 
• Can cauterise a bleeding vessel (using heat) 
• Endoscopy can be used to remove a polyp

1. Arthroscopy

This method examines afflicted joints. A tiny cut near the joint is used to introduce the tube.

• Benefits of Arthroscopy
  • Lesser healing time
  • Minimal soft tissue trauma
  • Lesser healing time
  • Smaller incisions
  • Less postoperative pain
  • Lower chances of infection 
• Survival Rate after Surgery
  • The survival rate after surgery is 95%. 
• Cost of Surgery
  • Although the cost depends on a variety of factors, it usually varies from ₹ 80,000 to ₹ 1,70,000.

2. Bronchoscopy

A procedure used to look for lung growths or infections. To place the endoscopic tube, surgeons and doctors will make use of the nose or mouth's hole.

• Benefits of Bronchoscopy
  • Obtains samples of mucus or tissue
  • Provide treatment for a lung problem
  • Removes foreign elements or other blockages
• Survival Rate after Surgery
  • Mortality is rare in bronchoscopy, which is around 0–0.04%. 
• Cost of Surgery
  • The cost of a Bronchoscopy in India may range from ₹ 1500 to ₹ 5,000.

3. Colonoscopy

This procedure looks at your colon or tailbone. Your anal cavity will be utilised to introduce the tube.

• Benefits of Colonoscopy
  • Quick 
  • Painless
  • Can detect cancer effectively
  • Can detect inflammatory bowel diseases
• Survival Rate after Surgery
  • Individuals with colon cancer have a 5-year survival rate of 64%. However, if diagnosed early, the survival rate is around 91%. 
• Cost of Surgery
  • The cost of a colonoscopy in India is around ₹ 2,600 to ₹12,000.

4. Cystoscopy

Used to evaluate bladder damage. The urethra will be used to implant the scope.

• Benefits of Cystoscopy
  • Can identify the causes behind urinary problems.
  • Samples of urine and bladder tissue can be taken.
  • Can inject dye for MRI to the kidney.  
• Survival Rate after Surgery
  • Not Found 
• Cost of Surgery
  • The cost may vary from ₹ 10,000 to ₹ 84,467.

5. Enteroscopy

When there is an issue with the small intestine, doctors will perform an enteroscopy. For this purpose, the scope can be inserted either through the mouth or the anus.

• Benefits of Enteroscopy
  • Accurately looks at the small bowel lining 
  • Can take tissue samples for analysis
• Survival Rate after Surgery
  • The survival rate of Enteroscopy is around 1.89%. 
• Cost of Surgery
  • The cost may vary from ₹ 1500 to ₹ 35,000.

6. Hysteroscopy

A procedure in which a tube is introduced via the vagina to examine the uterus inside in females.

• Benefits of Hysteroscopy
  • Helps investigate unusual vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, postmenopausal bleeding etc. 
  • Helps diagnose fibroids and polyps.
• Survival Rate after Surgery
  • The survival rate may range from 73.5% to 33.3%.
• Cost of Surgery
  • The cost may vary from ₹ 5,000 to ₹ 50,000.

7. Laparoscopy

Doctors will use this method to examine your pelvic or abdominal region in laparoscopy. The tube will be introduced after a brief incision is made nearby.

• Benefits of Laparoscopy
  • It can avoid incisions or large open wounds.
  • Reduces pain, blood loss, and discomfort.
• Survival Rate after Surgery
  • The survival rate from laparoscopic surgery is approximately 8 per 100, 000.
• Cost of Surgery
  • The cost may vary from ₹ 20,000 to ₹ 50,000.

8. Laryngoscopy

This is a procedure for larynx examination. For this procedure, the camera tube is inserted through your mouth or nose.

• Benefits of Laryngoscopy
  • Helps diagnose the throat, vocal cords, glottis, and larynx. 
  • Help to perform tracheal intubation.
• Survival Rate after Surgery
  • Not Found
• Cost of Surgery
  • The cost may vary from ₹ 97,643 to ₹ 143,233.

9. Mediastinoscopy

This type of endoscopy is used to examine the mediastinum, which is the space between the lungs. Doctors will make a tiny incision above the breastbone to insert the tube.

• Benefits of Mediastinoscopy
  • It helps to identify –  
  • Cancer in bronchi and mediastinum. 
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Thymoma
  • Lymphoma
  • Infection or inflammation
• Survival rate after Surgery
  • The overall mortality rate is around 0.09%. 
• Cost of Surgery
  • The cost of Mediastinoscopy starts from ₹ 13,689.

10. Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Doctors use this method to examine the upper intestinal tract and oesophagus. The mouth is used to insert the scope.

• Benefits of Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
• This procedure is quick. 
• Provides a detailed view of the stomach, oesophagus, and duodenum. 
• Survival rate after Surgery
• The mortality rate of EGD is around 1 in 9000. 
• Cost of Surgery
• The cost of an Upper GI endoscopy test is around ₹ 2500.

11. Ureteroscopy

Men can have their ureters examined by ureteroscopy. The urethra will be used to insert the tube.

• Benefits of Ureteroscopy
  • Ureteroscopy can treat stones in the kidney and ureter. 
• Survival rate after Surgery
  • The mortality rate of URS is approximately 0.04%. 
• Cost of Surgery
  • The cost may vary from ₹ 2000 to ₹ 15,000.

1. Discuss about the health issues or situations

Tell your doctor right away if you're expecting or if you have any health issues, such as cancer or heart problems. Your doctor can determine whether any precautions are required based on this information and carry out the surgery as safely as feasible.

2. Mention your allergies and medications

Additionally, you must inform your doctor of any allergies you may have as well as the prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking. Before the endoscopy, your doctor can advise you to adjust the dosage or cease using a particular medicine.

3. Be aware of the procedure's hazards

Make sure you are aware of the procedure's dangers and potential problems. Though they are uncommon, complications can include the following:

• If food or liquid enters the lungs, aspiration happens. If you eat or drink before the surgery, this could happen. To avoid this issue, be sure to adhere to your doctor's fasting recommendations.
• If you are allergic to certain medications, such as the sedatives you are given to rest before the surgery, you could experience a negative reaction. Additionally, these pills may conflict with any other medications you might be on. Any medications you are taking should be disclosed to your doctor.
• If polyps are removed or a biopsy is done, bleeding may happen.

4. Organise a ride home

To make you feel more at ease during the endoscopy, you'll probably be given a sedative and a narcotic. Because these medications will cause you to become sleepy following the treatment, you shouldn't drive. Make plans to be picked up and driven home by someone. Some medical facilities won't let you have the surgery unless you make arrangements for transportation home beforehand.

5. Take no food or drink

The night before the surgery, you shouldn't eat or drink anything after midnight. This includes mints and gum. If your treatment is an afternoon endoscopy, you can normally have clear liquids after midnight for up to six hours beforehand.

6. Dress comfortably

An endoscopy can still be uncomfortable, even though you'll be given a drug to make you feel more at ease. Wear comfortable clothing, and refrain from wearing jewellery. Before the process, you will be requested to take off your glasses or dentures.

7. Bring all required paperwork

Don't forget to complete the consent form and any other documentation that your doctor may have asked you to complete. The night before the procedure, complete all forms and place them in your backpack to ensure that you remember to bring them.

8. Make time for recovery

It is advisable to take some time off work and to postpone making significant life decisions until you are fully recovered because you can experience some throat irritation.

In comparison to open surgery, endoscopy has a significantly lower risk of infection and bleeding. However, because endoscopy is a medical treatment, there is a small chance of infection, bleeding, and other uncommon effects such as:

• Harm to your organs, including severe perforation 
• Fever and chest pain
• Chronic endoscopy-related pain, as well as swelling and redness at the incision site
• The dangers associated with each type vary depending on the setting of the surgery and your personal health.

For instance, dark-coloured stool, vomiting, and trouble swallowing following a colonoscopy could be red flags. During a hysteroscopy, there is a slight chance of cervical injury, uterine haemorrhage, or uterine perforation. 

There's a small possibility that the capsule could become lodged in the digestive tract during capsule endoscopy. People who have a condition like a tumour that narrows the digestive tract are more at risk. The capsule can then require removal via surgery.

Survival Rate of Endoscopic Surgery: The overall survival rate of endoscopic surgery is 97.0%.

You'll receive comprehensive preparation instructions from your doctor. You must refrain from consuming solid foods for up to 12 hours before the majority of endoscopic procedures. Clear beverages like water or juice may be consumed up to two hours before the treatment. With you, your doctor will explain this.

Your doctor may prescribe laxatives or enemas to help you empty your system the night before the procedure. This frequently happens with operations on the GI tract and the anus. Before the endoscopy, your doctor will conduct a physical examination and review your whole medical history, including any prior operations.

Disclose to your healthcare provider about any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements. Tell your doctor about any allergies you may have as well. If taking certain medications—especially anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs—could cause bleeding, you might need to stop using them.

Your doctor or surgeon might spray an anaesthetic in your mouth. This drug will numb your throat in order to place the lengthy, flexible tube (endoscope). You could require wearing a plastic mouth guard to keep your mouth open during the procedure.

The endoscope is then put inside your mouth. Your doctor could instruct you to swallow as the scope moves down your throat. Your throat may feel a little tight, but you shouldn't be in agony.

After the endoscope has passed down your throat, you can only produce noises. Moreover, the endoscope causes no breathing restriction.

As the endoscope enters your oesophagus when your doctor inserts it, the following happens:

• Images are sent from a tiny camera at the tip to a video monitor in the examination room. In order to check for anomalies in your upper digestive tract, your doctor keeps an eye on this monitor. If your doctor discovers anomalies in your digestive system, he or she may take pictures for subsequent analysis.
• A small amount of air pressure may be introduced into your oesophagus to expand your digestive system. The endoscope is now free to roam around. Additionally, it makes it simpler for your doctor to check the contours of your digestive tract. The additional air may cause you to feel full or under pressure.
• To obtain a tissue sample or remove a polyp, your doctor will use specialised surgical equipment that is passed through the endoscope. To direct the tools, your doctor monitors the video monitor.

After the examination is complete, your doctor slowly retracts the endoscope via your mouth. Depending on the patient, an endoscopy might last anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.

After your endoscopy, the team of doctors and hospital staff will take you to a recovery area where you can sit or rest quietly. You may linger for about an hour. This enables your medical team to keep an eye on you while the sedative starts to take effect.

After an endoscopy, you might encounter a few somewhat uncomfortable indications and symptoms until you get home, like:

• Gas and bloating
• Cramping
• Sore throat

With time, these symptoms will become better. Call your doctor if you have any concerns or feel very uncomfortable.

After your endoscopy, relax for the remainder of the day. You may feel alert after taking a sedative, but your reaction times are slowed down, and your judgement is delayed.

Endoscopy is frequently used to assist your doctor in finding the source of any unusual symptoms you're experiencing; remove a small sample of tissue, known as an endoscopic biopsy, for further testing; and assist your doctor in seeing inside your body during a surgical procedure, such as treating a stomach ulcer, removing tumours, or removing gallstones.

Regardless, you should do an endoscopy if you have:

• Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease
• Stomach ulcer
• Chronic constipation
• Tumours
• Hiatal hernia
• Unusual vaginal bleeding
• Pancreatitis
• Gallstones
• Blood in your urine
• Unexplained bleeding in the digestive tract
• Infections
• Blockage of the oesophagus
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Other digestive tract issues

In about a week, you should be able to return to work or school, and in about three weeks, your regular routine. The extent of your surgery and your work also affect this, though. In one to two months, most people return to normal. After your surgery, you must make routine doctor's appointments for three to four months.

The average endoscopic surgery cost in India ranges from ₹1000 to ₹3000. However, the endoscopy cost can vary according to different states.

This is all about the treatment of endoscopy in India. Having prior knowledge of the process can prepare you better for it mentally.