Surgical Endoscopy

Gastroscopy and colonoscopy can also be accompanied by a number of therapeutic and surgical interventions, i.e. removal of gastrointestinal polyps, removal of foreign bodies, stopping gastrointestinal bleeding, and dilation of gastrointestinal tract strictures. These minor interventions provide an opportunity to avoid major abdominal surgeries.

Indications for surgical endoscopy:

• Removal of stomach and colon polyps
• Stopping bleeding in cases of gastric and duodenal ulcer diseases, esophageal varicose veins
• Endoscopic sclerosis in the case of esophageal varicose veins
• Removal of gastrointestinal submucosal masses
• Endoscopic papilla sphincterotomy
• Esophageal stenting
• Removal of foreign bodies from the esophagus, stomach

Endoscopy is almost painless but if necessary, it can be anesthetized (IV anesthesia). Anesthesia is performed by an anesthesiologist-resuscitator; it lasts for a few minutes.