Endoscopy: A Closer Look with Your Comfort in Mind

A colonoscopy is a visual exam of your colon using a lighted, flexible fiberoptic or video endoscope. An endoscope is inserted through your anus and moved gently around the bends of your colon. Viewing the colon like this helps your doctor check for conditions like colon cancer, noncancerous tumors (which can be painlessly removed during the colonoscopy), inflammation, infection and bleeding. A colonoscopy can be performed by a general surgeon, a gastroenterologist, or a colorectal surgeon.

Easy-to-schedule Colon Cancer Screenings

Our open access colonoscopy program makes it easier to get colon cancer screenings. The program allows healthy people, age 50 and older and with an average risk for colon cancer, to schedule a colonoscopy without having an office visit first. You'll save both time and the cost of an office co-payment.

Learn more about our colonoscopy services.

Also known as ERCP, this procedure is used to diagnose problems in the pancreas, bile duct, liver and gallbladder. ERCP may help treat gallstones or other blockages, where stenting or sphincterotomy to open the bile duct is needed.

A local anesthetic is sprayed to numb your throat and an endoscope is gently inserted through your mouth and down your throat. Your doctor then inspects your stomach and duodenum (the first section of the small intestine). A dye is injected into your duodenum and detailed X-rays are taken of the bile ducts and pancreas.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a minimally invasive procedure to evaluate digestive (gastrointestinal) and lung diseases. It uses high-frequency sound waves to produce detailed images of the lining and walls of your digestive tract and chest, nearby organs such as the pancreas and liver, and the lymph nodes.

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is used to diagnose and treat rectal bleeding, persistent diarrhea, pain, colon cancer and abnormalities that may appear on X-rays. An endoscope looks at the inside of your rectum and sigmoid colon (the last one to two feet of your colon).

During the exam, you'll lie on your left side with your legs drawn up and a sheet placed over your lower body. A finger exam of your anus and rectum is performed, and then an endoscope is gently inserted into the rectum. The bowel is inflated with air to expand it and allow careful examination. The endoscope is then carefully moved around the various bends in the lower bowel.

A liver biopsy lets the doctor take a small sample of liver tissue to view under a microscope and diagnose a condition. A local anesthetic is used to numb the skin and tissue and a thin needle is inserted through the skin, usually through the lower-right chest between the ribs. The needle is quickly moved into and out of the liver (in about one to two seconds) to take a piece of tissue.

An upper GI endoscopy is a visual exam of your upper intestinal tract using a lighted, flexible fiberoptic or video endoscope. A spray or liquid is used to numb your throat so you don't feel the endoscope as it's gently inserted into your upper esophagus. This exam is used to diagnose and treat ulcers, tumors, trouble with swallowing, upper abdominal pain, indigestion, chronic inflammation and intestinal bleeding.

Before your endoscopy, you will have a first-time visit and consultation with your gastroenterologist. This is a chance for you to discuss your condition and symptoms so we can learn about your health. Usually, no procedures are done on your first visit.

Our physicians ask that you have a doctor's order for the endoscopy. Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time if you're a new patient and fifteen minutes ahead if you're a follow-up. If you arrive fifteen minutes after your scheduled appointment time, your appointment will need to be rescheduled. Please bring your informed consent form.

As endoscopy procedures vary, please talk with your physician for instructions regarding preparations for your endoscopy.

After your endoscopy, your physician will share your test results with you and your visitor (with your permission). You'll be monitored for at least 30 minutes before you're sent home. Your doctor will also give you a discharge instruction sheet.

Because you'll be sedated during your endoscopy, it's important to limit your activity afterward.

• No drinking alcoholic beverages.
• No driving or operating any equipment.
• No important decision-making.
• No working.
• You may resume all of your usual activities the next day.