Gastrointestinal endoscopy

Abstract

The flexible fibrescope has now made it possible to examine the gastrointestinal tract from the oesophagus to the anus. Initially, the main use for the fibrescope was diagnostic, but during the past few years a growing range of therapeutic procedures has been developed. Diagnosis is made by the clear visualization of lesions combined with tissue biopsy and brush cytology. The therapeutic procedures include insertion of oesophageal tubes, injection of oesophageal varices, removal of foreign bodies, clipping and photocoagulation of gastric bleeding points, papillotomy for retained stones and colonic and gastric polypectomy.