Endoscopic Surgery

Endoscopes

Endoscopes are like narrow telescopes for viewing inside the body. The simplest are just light sourses with a speculum to hold an area open, for example an uariscope used for viewing in ears. Rigid endoscopes are used in some areas and flexible ones where it is necessary to go round bends!

When there is no natural opening to introduce an endoscope through it is possible to make a small incision to allow viewing of, for example, into the abdomen or thorax, see below, and joints (right). Once the endoscope is in position the area can be viewed and either/both diagnostic procedures and treatments performed. When there is good endoscopic access it is often possible to avoid the need for conventional surgery. Unfortunately endoscopes often do not provide a good enough view or access so conventional surgery is still required in many cases.

Laparoscopy and thoracoscopy

Endoscopic surgery in the thorax and abdomen is becoming more and more practical. The image below shows endoscopic

Techniques such as this do not just permit viewing and sampling for diagnosis, they can often be use for performing treatment as well.