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 |
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View of the inside of a portion of the intestine as
seen through an endoscope. |
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Endoscopy and Colonoscopy and
Bronchoscopy
