Frequently Asked Questions

What is Endoscopy?

Endoscopy is a medical procedure where the doctor uses a special instrument to examine the internal organs of the body. The special instrument used is called an endoscope. This procedure helps the doctor to check any problem within the body. The endoscope is inserted through the natural openings like mouth or rectum, or by making a small incision. This procedure helps in viewing the live status of the internal organs on a monitor.

 There are several types of endoscopies and they are:

1.  Arthroscopy
2. Bronchoscopy
3. Colonoscopy
4. Cystoscopy
5. Enteroscopy
6. Hysterectomy
7. Laparoscopy
8. Laryngoscopy
9. Mediastinoscopy
10. Sigmoidoscopy
11. Pleuroscopy [Thoracoscopy]
12. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy [upper gastrointestinal endoscopy]
13. Uteroscopy

What are the advantages of Endoscopy?

1. It is a less invasive procedure.
2. It can detect active bleeding area inside the body.
3. Can treat digestive problems.
4. With special instruments attached to the endoscope, it collects the sample from the organ.
5. Less post-operative pain. Recovery time is faster.
6. Identifies the abnormal tissues and prevents the injury to surrounding tissues.

What are the indications of Endoscopy?

Indications of endoscopy are:

1. Esophageal diseases
2. Gastroduodenal diseases
3. Liver cancer
4. Anemia without visible blood loss
5. Ulcers
6. Gastritis
7. Blockage of the esophagus
8. Blood in the stool
9. Severe abdominal pain that is not responding to treatment
10. Repair knee ligaments
11. Screen colon cancer

What is the preparation for Endoscopy?

1. Your doctor will advise you to stop eating and drinking up to 8 hours before your endoscopy.
2. You should stop taking blood thinners as instructed by your doctor.
3. Tell your doctor regarding your health condition and all the medications you are taking.
4. Discuss the risks, complications, and benefits associated with endoscopy with your doctor.

What are the steps involved in Endoscopy?

Different types of endoscopies have different steps. Common steps involved in endoscopy are

1. Depending on the type of endoscopy, you will be sedated by using either local or general anesthesia.
2. The endoscope, which is a special instrument is used to visualize the internal organs through natural openings or small incisions.
3. To examine organs likes stomach, esophagus, large intestine, and a small intestine etc, the endoscope is passed through natural openings like mouth or rectum.
4. Organs that cannot be examined through natural openings, then small incisions may be made by your doctor and then the endoscope is passed through the incisions.
5. If any abnormality is found in the specific internal organ or surrounding tissue, then your doctor will biopsy the abnormal tissue or organ for further examination.
6. After completion of checking the internal organs and tissues health status, the doctor will remove the endoscope.
7. In case incisions are made, they will be closed with stitched by your doctor.

What is the post-procedure care/recovery care for Endoscopy?

1. After the procedure, you may be transferred to the recovery room. You may feel mild discomfort or a sore throat.
2. Your vital signs will be monitored by your doctor.
3. Your doctor will tell you when to have your food and when to drive home.
4. If there is a pain at the site of examination even after the procedure, you may be prescribed with some pain killers by your doctor.

Who can perform this [Right specialist type for Endoscopy]?

Different types of endoscopies are performed by different specialists. Some of the specialists who can perform endoscopy are:

1. Gastroenterologist [Proctologist]
2. Orthopedic surgeon
3. Pulmonologist [Thoracic surgeon]
4. Gynecologist
5. Otolaryngologist
6. ENT doctor
7. Urologist
8. Experienced doctors in performing several successful endoscopies.

What is the cost of Endoscopy?

Cost of an endoscopy depends on:

1. Type of endoscopy performed
2. The area where the hospital is located
3. The number of incisions needed to be made for an examination of internal organs

Minimum price in Delhi starts from Rs.2,100

Average expenses in Delhi is approximately Rs.6,300

Maximum cost in Delhi rises up to Rs.10,500

Is Endoscopy a major surgery or minor surgery?

There are different types of endoscopies and the severity [major or minor procedure] depends on the type of endoscopy performed by your doctor.

What are the minimum and maximum age required for Endoscopy?

Generally, there is no age restriction to undergo endoscopy. Anyone with abnormal symptoms that are not responding to treatment can prefer this procedure.

What is the eligibility criteria for Endoscopy?

1. Individuals above 18 years old with abnormal symptoms.
2. People who are not diagnosed or without a known cause for abnormal symptoms.
3. Patients with a good immune system.
4. Patients who are not responding to the treatment.

What is the ineligibility criteria for Endoscopy?

1. People below 18 years old without any active abnormal symptoms.
2. Patients with blood and heart disorders.
3. Individuals with an active severe infection of a specific organ.
4. Patients who are already diagnosed or with a known cause for abnormal symptoms.

What are the risks and complications associated with Endoscopy?

Risks and complications associated with endoscopy are:

1. Infection at the site of an incision
2. Inflammation to the specific area where the endoscope is used
3. Bleeding in the organ may occur
4. Organ damage, irregular heartbeat
5. Difficulty in breathing
6. Burning sensation at the site of anesthetic injection
7. Chest pain can occur
8. Difficulty in urination

How long does it take to complete Endoscopy?

The time required to complete an endoscopy depends on:

1. Type of the endoscopy performed by your doctor
2. Experience of the doctor in performing an endoscopy
3. The area to be examined

Overall, an endoscopy requires about 10 minutes to 1 hour to complete the examination of a specific area.

What is the recovery time?

Different types of endoscopy take different recovery time. However, an individual who undergoes any type of endoscopy recovers within 15 minutes to 2 hours.

What is the success rate of Endoscopy?

The success rate of endoscopy depends on:

1. Age of the patient
2. The area to be examined
3. Experience of the doctor
4. Type of endoscopy

Is Endoscopy painful?

During endoscopy, local anesthesia will be given to the patient to numb the specific area of the body. So, most patients who undergo endoscopy does not feel pain and may experience similar to the discomfort, indigestion, or sore throat.

Is Endoscopy Permanent?

Endoscopy is utilized to check the internal organs of the body through an opening or small surgical incision. This may not be permanent because the doctor removes the tube from the opening after completion of the examination.

What are the long-term results of Endoscopy?

It depends on the type of endoscopy used based on the health condition of a patient. Some of the long-term results for most of the endoscopies are:

1. Reoccurrence of the ulcer
2. Dryness of the specific area
3. Inflammation of the opening
4. May cause permanent damage to the organ
5. Chances of development of infection

What Endoscopy can detect?

Endoscopy can detect:

1. Abnormal growth of cells
2. Any blood leakage
3. Inflammation inside the body
4. Ulcers
5. Tumors
6. The health condition of the internal organs

There are several types of endoscopies and each type can detect abnormalities of the area where it is performed on the body.

What are the options if Endoscopy fails or not successful?

If endoscopy fails to check and diagnose the unusual symptoms, then the available option is open surgery.

What are the alternatives for Endoscopy?

Following are some of the alternatives to endoscopy for looking into the human body.

1. X-rays [For diagnostic purposes]
2. Open surgery [For treatment procedures]
3. Barium X-ray
4. Ultrasound sonography scan [USG scan]

Are endoscopy and gastroscopy the same procedure?

No. Endoscopy is a medical procedure in which a special instrument is used to visualize and check the internal organs and parts of the body through a natural opening or by means of a small surgical incision. Whereas, gastroscopy is a type of endoscopy which inspects the upper gastrointestinal organs such as the esophagus, stomach, and the duodenum.

 

Are endoscopy and colonoscopy the same?

No. Colonoscopy is a type of endoscopy where the endoscope is utilized to visualize the lower gastrointestinal parts.

[ENDOSCOPE:- It is a special type of optical viewing instrument that is passed into the body to check and visualize the internal organs and part of the body.]

Can endoscopy detect colon cancer, lung cancer, fatty liver, ulcer?

While doing an endoscopy, if the doctor finds any abnormal layering or lining, then the endoscope is passed to it to collect the sample. Further, the sample is tested to check if any cancer is present or not.  So, endoscopy may help to detect the presence of colon cancer and ulcers. Endoscopic ultrasound can detect lung cancers and upper endoscopy may help in the detection of fatty liver.

Can endoscopy detect pregnancy?

Endoscopy may not detect the pregnancy of a woman.

Know more about Endoscopy

What is endoscopy?

Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a long flexible tube with an attached camera is inserted through an incision or an opening in the body (such as the mouth or anus) so that the doctor can view an internal organ or a piece of tissue minutely. 

Endoscopies are performed not only to observe the insides of an area in the body but also to perform minor surgeries, or remove some tissue for biopsy. 

Endoscopy typically helps a doctor to:

• find out the cause for the symptoms from which you are suffering.
• perform endoscopic biopsies.
• observe the inside of a body area while performing a surgery such as gallstones or tumor removal.

What are the types of endoscopy?

Based on the area of the body that needs investigation endoscopy can be of various types. Please see the table below:

When is an endoscopy suggested?

After a thorough physical check-up and possible tests such as blood tests, if the doctor is still dissatisfied he may suggest an endoscopy if the patient suffers from:

• vaginal bleeding
• blood in the urine
• stomach ulcer
• acid reflux (GERD)
• inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease
• chronic constipation
• pancreatitis
• gallstones
• problems in the digestive tract, for example, unexplained bleeding
• tumors
• infections
• blockage of the esophagus
• a hiatal hernia

What are the guidelines to follow before an endoscopy? 

You will be given instructions by your healthcare provider prior to an appointment for an endoscopy procedure to prepare for it. Some usual guidelines are:

• Let the doctor know in detail about your medical history, including your family’s medical history. If you suffer from any medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, allergies or are prone to allergies, or any other medical condition let the doctor know.
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• You need to let the doctor know of all the medicines you take including blood thinners, vitamins, multi-vitamins, or over-the-counter medication prior to the procedure. You may be required to stop taking medications (especially blood thinners) for a few days prior to the procedure.
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• Ask the doctor in detail about why you require the procedure, whether the procedure will hurt you, the possible risks of the procedure, and whatever other questions you may have. Make sure you clear all your doubts.
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• For most types of endoscopy, you will be required to stop eating solid foods for up to 12 hours before the procedure.
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• For some endoscopies, liquids such as water or juice may be allowed upto two hours before the procedure.
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• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol at least 15 hours prior to the procedure else it may interfere with the results of the procedure.
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• For endoscopies related to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the doctor may prescribe laxatives or enemas for you to take the night before so that your stomach is clear before the procedure.
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• Avoid wearing jewellery and wear comfortable clothes.
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• Make sure you arrange for a ride back home as you may feel drowsy after the procedure, due to the sedatives administered to you to help you relax during the endoscopy.

What are the risks of an endoscopy?

The risks depend on the type of endoscopy performed and the area of the body involved. Some common risks include:

• Swelling and redness at the incision site
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Passing dark coloured stools after a colonoscopy
• Pain in the area where endoscopy was performed
• Damage to nearby organs
• Uterine bleeding or cervical trauma after a hysteroscopy
• Pain in the chest

What are the guidelines to follow after undergoing an endoscopy?

The aftercare guidelines differ according to the type of endoscopy performed.

1. Most of the endoscopies are day procedures or outpatient procedures, meaning you can go home on the same day after the procedure.
2. If any incisions were made for the procedure the doctor will suture the wound and give instructions on how to take care of the wound. After GI related endoscopy you may have to take soft foods as you will have a sore throat for some time. 
3. If you develop any serious symptoms such as persistent bleeding while urinating after cystoscopy (ideally it should stop after 24 hours) call your doctor immediately. 
4. Make sure to know about the risks and after-care guidelines before undergoing endoscopy. 

What is the cost of endoscopy in India?

The cost of endoscopy in India would vary according to:

• The city/locality
• The clinic/hospital type and its amenities
• The overall health condition of the patient
• The urgency of the procedure
• Experience of the provider
• The anesthesia used
• Type of endoscopy

Depending on the above conditions, the cost can vary between Rs. 3000 to Rs. 30000.

Please consult your doctor to get the exact treatment plan and price quote suiting your unique needs.