Endoscopic Surgery

What is endoscopic surgery?

Endoscopic surgery is performed using a narrow, flexible tube that’s inserted through your mouth and guided into your esophagus, stomach, or the upper part of your small intestine. In some cases, your provider inserts the endoscope through a small incision in your abdomen.

The endoscope provides lighting and holds a video camera that sends magnified images to a monitor. The high-definition images allow your provider to diagnose the cause of your symptoms. They can pass instruments through the endoscope to perform surgery.

You also get endoscopic surgery when you undergo a colonoscopy to evaluate your rectum and large intestine, remove polyps, and treat other problems in your lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract. 

What are the different types of endoscopic surgery?

Endoscopic procedures have different names based on the targeted body area.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

Also called an upper GI endoscopy, this procedure treats problems in your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the upper part of your small intestine).

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

The team at AMI Surgery performs an ERCP to treat problems with the pancreatic duct and bile duct.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)

This endoscopic procedure is done through a small abdominal incision to place a feeding tube into the stomach.

Enteroscopy

An enteroscopy gives the team at AMI Surgery the ability to go further into the small intestine using a longer conventional endoscope, a double-balloon enteroscopy, or a capsule endoscope.

What conditions are treated during endoscopic surgery?

The team at AMI Surgery may perform endoscopic surgery to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including:

• GERD
• Gallstones
• Esophagitis
• Gastritis
• Duodenitis
• Pancreatitis
• Crohn’s disease
• Esophageal narrowing
• Stomach ulcers
• Bile duct tumors and cysts

After diagnosing the problem, they may surgically remove tissue samples, cysts, stones, and tumors, stop bleeding, or put a stent in place.

What happens during endoscopic surgery?

Prior to your endoscopic procedure, the team at AMI Surgery talks with you about your anesthesia options. In most cases, patients receive moderate sedation. 

Your provider uses a local anesthetic to numb your throat and places a guard over your teeth to protect them from the endoscope.

Once you’re sedated, your provider inserts the endoscope and begins your procedure. Endoscopic procedures typically take 30-60 minutes, and most patients go home the same day.

To learn more about endoscopic surgery, call AMI Surgery or schedule a consultation online today.