Endoscopy is minimally invasive day procedure and can often be performed under sedation or general anaesthetic.
Endoscopy is a medical procedure that allows doctors to examine the inside of your body using a flexible tube called an endoscope. This tube has a light and a camera at the end, which transmits images to a monitor. Endoscopy can be used to investigate symptoms, diagnose conditions, and treat issues within the digestive tract, such as polyps and ulcers.
There are different types of endoscopy, depending on the area being examined.
At Christchurch Colorectal, we perform endoscopy at Southern Endoscopy Centre, Southern Cross Hospital, St Georges Hospital, and Forte Health.
Gastroscopy allows examination of the upper part of your digestive tract i.e. oesophagus (food pipe), stomach and duodenum (top section of the small intestine), by passing a gastroscope (long, flexible tube with a camera on the end) through your mouth and down your digestive tract. Images from the camera are displayed on a television monitor. Sometimes a small tissue sample (biopsy) will need to be taken during the procedure for later examination at a laboratory.
Gastroscopy may be used to diagnose peptic ulcers, tumours, gastritis etc.
Learn MoreColonoscopy is the examination of your colon (large bowel) using a colonoscope (long, flexible tube with a camera on the end). The colonoscope is passed into your rectum (bottom) and then moved slowly along the entire colon, while images from the camera are displayed on a television monitor.
Sometimes a small tissue sample (biopsy) will need to be taken during the procedure for later examination at a laboratory.
A colonoscopy will diagnose conditions such as polyps (small growths of tissue projecting into the bowel), tumours, ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the colon) and diverticulitis (inflammation of sacs that form on the walls of the colon).
Learn MoreFlexible sigmoidoscopy is an examination of the lining of the lower end of the colon (large bowel). The flexible sigmoidoscope is a flexible tube about the thickness of an index finger, which is passed through the anus around the colon. A tiny video camera is on the end, which sends an image to a video screen and can take photos.
The doctor looks for any abnormalities throughout the examination. If necessary, biopsies (small tissue samples) can be taken through the colonoscope using tiny forceps. Polyps (abnormal growths of tissue) can also be removed, either with the biopsy forceps or with a snare (a wire loop, like a lasso). Biopsies or polyps are examined in the laboratory under a microscope.
Learn MoreERCP (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) is a specialised procedure used to diagnose and treat conditions of the bile ducts, pancreas, and gallbladder.
During an ERCP, a thin flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) is gently passed through your mouth and into the small intestine. A special dye is then used so your doctor can see the bile and pancreatic ducts on X-ray.
ERCP can help identify blockages, gallstones, or narrowing in the ducts and in many cases, these issues can be treated during the same procedure.
Learn MoreRead our answers to common questions about preparation, medications, insurance and booking.
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