What is Endoscopy?

Question 1

What is Endoscopy?

Answer 1

Is the use of optimal devices that give a visual access to the inside of the body and provide high-quality magnified images of tissues and internal organs.

Question 2

When are Endoscope used?

Answer 2

Commonly in practice to aid the removal of foreign bodies, view the respiratory tract and to obtain samples such as tissue biopsies.

Question 3

What are the two types of Endoscopes?

Answer 3

• Rigid

- Flexible

Question 4

What are rigid Endoscopes?

Answer 4

There are steel tubes containing rod lens, with an eyepiece at one end and a connection to a light source. Rigid endoscopes are useful for investigating orifices that do not require malleability for viewing.

Question 5

How can the tip of the endoscope be controlled and manipulated?

Answer 5

The tip can be controlled and manipulated in two directions (bronchoscopes)

or in four directions (gastroscopes).

Question 6

What does a flexible endoscope comprise?

Answer 6

• a light source
• suction pump
• umbilical cord
• insertion tube
• control wheel

Question 7

In what areas are the flexible endoscopes are useful?

Answer 7

More delicate areas and deep within soft tissue where greater manoeuvrability is required.

Question 8

What endoscopes procedures are there?

Answer 8

• Oesophagoscopy (Oesophagus)
• Urethroscopy (Urethra)
• Vaginoscopy (Vagina)

Question 9

Match up the anatomy with the term for this investigation.

Answer 9

Gastroscopy - stomach
Colonscopy  - large intestine
Cystoscopy - bladder
Laparoscopy - Laparoscopy. 
Arthoscopy - joints
Otoscopy - Ear

Question 10

What instruments come with the endoscope?

Answer 10

• forceps

- biopsy punches

Question 11

Why is a light source necessary?

Answer 11

To allow visualisation of tissue.

Question 12

What do you aid elements with endoscope

Answer 12

• Water
• Air
  Suction are often available and can aid procedure such as insufflation (filling with air).

Question 13

Why do patients need to be under during an endoscopy?

Answer 13

Many procedures are uncomfortable or too invasive to perform in the conscious patient.

Also, most small animal procedures will require GA or heavy sedation to ensure patient remains still and risk of damaging the equipment is minimal.

Question 14

How is equine vaginoscopy and bronchoscopy performed?

Answer 14

Conscious as they tolerate and the latter can be performed during exercise or whilst on a treadmill.

Question 15

How do endoscopes have to be maintained?

What happens when damaged?

Answer 15

Stored correctly to prevent damage.

If dropped, can break the delicate fibre-optics and cause black spots which can be seen down the eyepiece and obstruct viewing.

Question 16

How do you care and maintain of endoscopes?

Answer 16

1) Rinse all off gross contaminates with cool water.
2) Soak in approved cleaner
3) Brush through all channels to remove debris
4) Rinse with cool water.
5) Soaked in approved cold steriliser (do not exceed 1HR as this damage seals.
6) Rinse in deionised water and dry carefully.
7) Hang up flexible endoscopes by the umbilicus to aid draining.

NEVER USE AN ULTRASONIC CLEANER as this can cause irreparable damage.