Endoscope

An endoscope is the most widely used medical instrument nowadays. It is a luminous optical object, generally slender and tubular in nature, and is used to look deep inside the body through openings like the mouth or anus during endoscopy procedures. Endoscopes are composed of thin tubes which are only a few mm thick. The word “endo” is Greek for “within,” and “scope” is derived from the Greek word “skopos”. It is used to examine internal organs like the throat or the pharynx. Specialised instruments are labelled after the organ they are meant to replace. 

Origin of the Endoscope

A group of scientists tried to build endoscopes in the mid-nineteenth century. Philip Bozzini was the first one in 1805 to inspect the urinary tract, rectum, and pharynx using a tube he developed. He named it Lichtleiter (light-guiding instrument). Desormeaux invented the very first successful open-tube endoscope in 1853. This sensor was used for inspecting the urethra and bladder. He called it an “endoscope”. 

During the  1800s, certain physicians developed the original endoscopic models and started developing prototypes for medical use. In 1868, they succeeded in looking inside the belly of a living human. They tested this model on a  person who swallowed a sword and could move it down a straight, 47-centimetre-long metal tube with a 13-millimetre diameter.

Cystourethroscopy was invented after a decade by Max Nitze and Josef Leiter. The first rigid gastroscopes for practical uses were created in 1881 by Johann von Mikulicz. But they were not flexible. Later, Dr Rudolph Schindler created a gastroscope that was flexible and facilitated examinations using a bent tube. The third section of the tube could be bent toward the end. Rudolph Schindler inspected the stomach’s interior using a miniature light bulb, and multiple lenses were used throughout the tube.

Endoscopic examination of the peritoneal cavity was first attempted in 1901 by George Kelling, who coined the term “Celioscopy.” 

Endoscopy

Endoscopy is performed using an endoscope. Endoscopy is the direct insertion of a long, thin tube into the body to precisely investigate an internal organ or tissue. We can also use it for other tasks like image analysis and minor surgery.

Different types of endoscopy:

• Arthroscopy – A procedure used to repair damaged joints. The tube is inserted via a small cut near the joint.
• Enteroscopy– This procedure is used when there is a problem with the small intestine. The scope can be inserted through either the mouth or the anus.
• Colonoscopy– A procedure used to examine the colon or tailbone. The tube will be inserted into the anaesthetic cavity.
• Bronchoscopy– A procedure used to search for infection or development in the lungs. The endoscopic tube will be placed through a small opening in the skin, such as the mouth or nose.
• Cystoscopy– A procedure used to evaluate bladder damage. The scope would be inserted into the body through the urethra.
• Mediastinoscopy– The area seen between the lungs is the mediastinum, and this type of endoscopy analyses that area. For the tube, a small incision is made above the breastbone.
• Laparoscopy– A procedure conducted to inspect the abdomen or pelvis. A small incision near the area will be made, and the tube will be placed.
• Laryngoscopy– A procedure for examining the larynx. The camera tube is inserted into the patient’s nose or mouth.
• Hysteroscopy– A tube is placed through the vagina to assess the inside of a woman’s uterus.
• Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy– A procedure used to examine the oesophagus and upper intestinal tract. The scope is implanted into the patient’s mouth.

Uses of Endoscopes in Surgery

Endoscopy has advanced in recent years, allowing for some types of surgery to be performed using a modified endoscope. As a result, the surgery is less invasive. Uses of endoscopes include procedures such as gallbladder removal, fallopian tube sealing, tying, and removal of small tumours from the digestive system or lungs. A laparoscope is a type of endoscope that has been modified for use in keyhole surgery (also referred to as laparoscopic surgery). People who use this technique lose less blood during and after surgery and recover much faster than those who use standard surgical procedures.

Conclusion

Endoscopic procedures are usually simple and can be conducted through the mouth, anus, or small incisions. We can use this method to examine, diagnose, or treat various conditions. These procedures have a low risk of complications, and most patients are discharged within a few hours. Some side effects may occur, such as a throat infection or bloating. But these are not major symptoms and can be resolved quickly. If these lingering effects occur, a person should consult with a doctor. In many cases, the sedative medication usually lasts about an hour, and it wears off. We hope that this article has cleared your doubt about what is an endoscope.