What is a GI Endoscopy procedure?

By Dr. Ajay Kumar in Institute For Digestive & Liver Diseases

Jun 20 , 2022 | 2 min read

Endoscopy procedures developed over the years due to human curiosity to see things themselves rather than rely on images and shadows in radiology. Upper GI endoscopy started as gastroscopy to look at the upper GI tract, and then colonoscopy developed to look at the colon. Soon these procedures brought therapeutics into practice by offering excellent solutions to GI bleeding problems, removing precancerous tumours and dilating the narrowed pipes. Over the years, we saw its extension to pancreatic-biliary endoscopy by ERCP and therapeutics in that area, from removing stones to taking care of narrowed tubes and plugging the leaks. Over the last twenty years, multiple advancements have occurred in this area. On one aspect, we saw development in small bowel endoscopy with the introduction of capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy. On the other side, endoscopists started looking outside the food pipe's lumen, resulting in the development of Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), which was initially introduced as a diagnostic modality by doing ultrasound closer to the ducts and helping in staging tumours. Later, its application expanded into tissue acquisition by FNAC and FNB. The concept of third space endoscopy came after its feasibility was shown by Pankaj Pasricha in the animal model. Its clinical application in Submucosal dissections, POEM etc., has established it solidly. Simultaneously endoscopists have worked to show their usefulness in developing endoscopic treatment of GERD and Bariatrics to provide competitive, less invasive solutions to surgery.

How Does Endoscopy Work?

The endoscopy procedure involves passing a long, thin tube called an endoscope through a natural opening in a patient's body, such as the mouth. An endoscope has a tiny camera attached to the end. It transmits a video to a display screen, allowing the doctors to examine the lining of the upper GI tract up close. Air is pumped into the patient's stomach and duodenum through the endoscope, making them easier to see.

Which Diseases Can Endoscopy Detect?

GI Endoscopy helps in the detection of inflammation, ulcers, and tumours. Upper GI endoscopies are more accurate than X-rays at detecting cancerous growths and examining the upper digestive system.

Endoscopy at BLK-Max Institute of Digestive and Liver Diseases

BLK-Max Institute of Digestive and Liver Diseases has introduced all these services for patients and kept pace with the developments across the world. Today, this institute boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure, equipment, technical staff, nurses, and trained endoscopists. All the people here endeavour to work as a team to provide world-class services with compassion and passion. In addition to technical excellence, the highlight of this unit is to provide state-of-the-art disinfection practices and generate confidence in patients about their safety. A regular audit is done to keep track of outcomes and complications. With these state of art facilities with trained, skilled personnel and safety practices, and cost-effective GI endoscopy, BLK-Max Institute of Digestive and Liver Diseases has developed into one of the best units in the country. Within one year of its start, it successfully conducted a world-class Endoscopic workshop ( Society of GI endoscopy of India) with about 1500 delegates from India and abroad. This institute trains young doctors to become technically sound, ethical and efficient endoscopists. They are trained to keep "Safety First" and "Do No Harm" as their operative principles. Institute is also involved in cutting-edge research and has many publications to its credit.