Endoscopy is a useful diagnostic imaging technique that explores and visualises a cavity or organ. It is also interventional, allowing minimally invasive interventions. This is a great advantage for the patient because postoperative pain is minimised and recovery time is shorter.
Rigid endoscopy
A rigid telescope is used to visualise the nasal cavity (rhinoscopy), respiratory tract (laryngoscopy and tracheobronchoscopy), digestive tract (oesophago-gastroscopy and colonoscopy), bladder (cystoscopy), joints (arthroscopy), abdominal cavity (laparoscopy) and thoracic cavity (thoracoscopy).
Laparoscopy can be used to perform surgical procedures such as biopsy, gastropexy or oophorectomy, without opening the abdomen as in conventional surgery.
Thoracoscopies are used to perform surgical interventions without having to perform a thoracotomy (opening the thorax), which is uncomfortable and painful for the patient.
Flexible endoscopy
It is mainly used for gastroenterology. Because it is flexible, endoscopy of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum can be performed, as well as colonoscopies along the entire length of the oesophagus. It is used for the removal of foreign bodies such as bones and fishhooks, visualisation of tumours or other types of lesions, polypectomies and sampling.
