What is an endoscope?
Critically ill or critically injured patients may have or
develop problems with their swallowing tube (esophagus),
stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon) or lungs.
Doctors use slender flexible tubes with a lighted end to
look at these structures. The instruments are called
endoscopes. The endoscope used to look at the stomach is
called a gastroscope and the endoscope used to look at the
colon is called a colonoscope. A bronchoscope, used to view
the lungs, is another type of endoscope. The various types
of endoscopes differ slightly in tube diameter and length.
All allow the doctor to visually inspect tissues, sample
small portions of tissue to diagnose problems (biopsy) and
to treat some of the diseases that occur in critically ill
patients.
Are there any potential
complications associated with endoscopy?
Complications associated with endoscopy are rare.
Complications of colonoscopy include cramping, feeling
bloated, bleeding, or a small hole made in the colon
occasionally requiring surgery to repair (colon
perforation). Colon perforation is uncommon. Complications
associated with bronchoscopy, while rare, include a
temporary decrease in blood oxygen levels. This is protected
against by use of supplemental oxygen during the procedure.
Rarely bronchoscopy can cause a lung to collapse. If this
happens, a chest tube may be needed to re-expand the lung.
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Endoscope
