Endoscopy-Colonoscopy

What is Endoscopy?

It is possible to express the endoscopy process as the imaging of the internal organs with devices with a camera at the end. Although this method is not new, it has been used for about 40 years. However, over the years, the quality and variety of the devices used have increased depending on the development of technology. This process, which provides visualization of the digestive system organs in general, is used in the early diagnosis, identification and treatment of diseases. By entering orally, problems in the duodenum, stomach, larynx or esophagus can be diagnosed. In addition to diagnosing diseases, gastric endoscopy can also be performed for therapeutic purposes, in case of removal of polyps in the stomach and stomach bleeding  .

Instead of a surgical procedure, internal organs are viewed with a tube-like device called an endoscope. The endoscope is thin, long and flexible so that it can easily move through the organs. Thus, the device can move freely in the curved areas without causing damage to the organs. At the head of the device, there is  an endoscope camera  and a light source of the device that helps imaging. Thanks to the camera, optical imaging is provided inside the organs.

The endoscopy device is generally used by entering through natural openings in the body. These are the oral canal and the anus. But there are also surgical procedures where this is not the case. E.g; Laparoscopic surgical procedures are slightly different from endoscopy. Endoscope is also used in laparoscopy, but the entry of the device is made through small incisions in the body.

In some cases,  capsule endoscopy is  required. This method allows visualization of the small intestine, which is difficult to reach through both the mouth and anus. In this method, no surgical procedure is applied. The person swallows the capsule, which is the size of a large medicine, with the help of water. The size of the capsule is 11×26 mm and it weighs about 3-4 grams. Diseases can be easily detected thanks to the small camera, light source, battery and antenna inside. The capsule method can be used especially in cases of bleeding that cannot be determined exactly, prolonged diarrhea and crohn’s disease. In addition, this method is among the advanced medical technologies. It is a safe method that does not cause pain or pain in the person.

Why is Endoscopy Performed?

Endoscopy may be required for the diagnosis of some diseases related to the digestive system  organs, because methods such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and direct radiography may sometimes be insufficient in making the diagnosis. In addition, endoscopy is preferred to make some procedures safer and faster. These processes are:

• treatment applications,
• To control the treatment success of the treated disease,
• To diagnose diseases such as weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting and reflux,
• Taking tissue samples from internal organs,
• Disorders of the duodenum, stomach, larynx and esophagus.

Preparation Process

Preparations before endoscopy vary according to the region where the procedure will be performed. But in general, here’s what to do beforehand:

• Food and liquid consumption should be stopped at least 7-8 hours before the endoscopy procedure.
• No smoking should be allowed on the day of the procedure.
• Blood thinners should be discontinued one week in advance.
• If the procedure is aimed at the intestines, the intestines should be emptied with a laxative.

How is Endoscopy Performed?

Since endoscopy  requires anesthesia, the patient is put to a light sleep. In some procedures, local anesthesia applied only to the throat may be preferred. The procedure is performed with a device called endoscope, which has a 8-10mm thick pipe and its own camera. The image of the targeted organ is projected onto a screen by the camera. The doctor can evaluate these images by examining them. During the procedure, the patient’s pulse and oxygen status are checked. If the doctor deems it necessary, he can also take a sample for a definitive diagnosis.

So,  how long does an endoscopy take ? If the gastroscopy procedure, in which the upper digestive organs are visualized, is applied, “How long does the endoscopy take?” It is possible to answer the question in 10 minutes.

A point that patients wonder about in this process is ” When will the endoscopy result come out ?” is the question. The answer to this question generally depends on the state of the person’s illness. Most of the time, results are given immediately on the day of the procedure. Especially in some cases where the biopsy is taken, the results can be obtained between 1-3 days.

One of the questions that patients wonder is ” How to feed after endoscopy ?” is happening. Eating should be started at least 2 hours after endoscopy. It would be better to consume liquid first. During the feeding process after endoscopy, very heavy foods should not be included, because bloating and gas may occur after the procedure, so the meals should be chosen correctly.

Are There Any Harms of Endoscopy?

If it is applied by experienced people, it is unlikely that any risk will occur during the procedure. However, some patients may experience side effects such as sore throat and irritation for a few days after the procedure. If side effects such as heartburn, bleeding from the mouth, respiratory distress, chest pain and vomiting are observed, a doctor should be consulted immediately.

So,  which part does endoscopy fall into ? It is possible to answer this question as gastroenterology and general surgery. Therefore, the procedure should be performed by trained general surgeons and gastroenterologists.

Endoscopy Prices

Endoscopy fee ; The service type of the hospital may vary according to the population density of the location and the additional fees determined for SGK members. In addition, whether a person has private health insurance or not is among the factors affecting prices in this process. It is possible to say that the price ranges for endoscopy vary in state hospitals and private hospitals.

The prices of endoscopy performed under sleep are determined after the physician’s diagnosis, examination and application method are decided.

What is a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is the examination of the large intestine through the anus and is a type of endoscopy. As in endoscopy, no surgical procedure is applied in this procedure. Imaging is provided with the help of a bendable tube with a camera with a diameter of approximately 1 cm. The large intestine that is targeted to be viewed with this procedure and the other parts it is related to are as follows:

• Anus,
• Rectum (the part where the large intestine connects to the anus),
• the entire large intestine,
• Cecum (the junction of the large intestine and small intestine),
• Terminal ileum (last part of small intestine)

So,  what part does a colonoscopy fall into? The procedure is performed by general surgeons and gastroenterologists. The fact that it is performed by experienced doctors in the field reduces the possibility of complications.

Why is a colonoscopy done?

The general purpose of the procedure is to diagnose and treat diseases related to the large intestine. However, people over the age of 45-50 should have a colonoscopy every 5 years to diagnose cancer cells, polyps and abnormal structures. Thus  , early diagnosis  and treatment of diseases can be started.

When asked about colonoscopy harms  , there is no obvious harm. Rarely, bleeding may occur after polyp removal. However, with the intervention of a doctor, the bleeding is stopped. Again, rarely, perforation of the large intestine may occur after some procedures. However, this probability is as low as one in a thousand and can be corrected by surgical intervention.

Colonoscopy Preparation and Pre-Colonoscopy Nutrition

Before the procedure, the patient; He should inform his doctor about the drugs he uses, another disease, pregnancy status. In addition to these, the empty intestines will provide a clearer view and help the operation to be carried out successfully. Therefore, bowel cleansing before colonoscopy includes some procedures applied to patients. Pre-colonoscopy diet , laxative drugs and enema are the methods applied for preparations. Consumption of solid foods should be stopped 48 hours before the procedure. Colonoscopy diet soup recipes include foods made of pulp-free foods.

In addition, shaving before colonoscopy for the breech area is a matter that all patients, especially male patients, should pay attention to. Because the cleaned breech area facilitates the process.

How is a colonoscopy done?

The patient pulls both legs towards his stomach and lies on his left side. In this way, the doctor begins the examination and the patient  is put to sleep by applying anesthesia for the  procedure. There are also colonoscopy procedures done without sleep, but mostly it is done with sleep. A colonoscopy device is entered through the anus and the lower digestive organs are examined with the help of a camera. In order to make the intestinal surface visible, air is given to the intestines with a colonoscope and they are swelled. The images reflected on the monitor are examined by the doctor. If the presence of abnormal formations is seen, they can be removed with a colonoscope.

One of the points that patients often wonder is ” How long does a colonoscopy take?” is the answer to the question. The answer to this question can be given in a short period of time such as 20 minutes on average. In some cases, this period may take up to 1 hour. So, when will the colonoscopy result come out? After the procedure, the results are visible in about 15-20 minutes. If a biopsy was performed during the procedure, the result is between 5 and 6 days.

What to eat after colonoscopy 

Nutrition is gradually increased after colonoscopy. The first defecation after colonoscopy takes place within the first 1-2 days depending on the feeding.

Colonoscopy Prices

As in endoscopy, the patient’s insurance status and preferred hospital play an effective role in determining the prices in colonoscopy. Colonoscopy fee  varies between private and public hospitals. You can click here for other questions about diseases and their treatments   .