Endoscopy is a procedure where in a long tube having an in built camera and a light source is passed into your upper or lower intestinal tract to look in if any abnormalities are present. If the upper tract is traced it is called Gastroscopy or oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD Scopy) or UGI Scopy. Similarly the lower tract visualization is called colonoscopy when the entire large bowel in traced or sigmoidoscopy if only the distal most 60-90cm of the large bowel is examined.

These daycare procedures are usually done most of the time in awake condition and occasssionally under anesthesia. Some sort of tranquilization may be used where by post procedure alertness may be diminished. Due to this, it is always preferable to get these tests done in the presence of one or more or your attendants who can help you out until you are completely out of the sedation. An UGI scopy takes less than 3 mins and a colonoscopy around 15-30 mins. During the procedures a piece of tissue may be taken for biopsy from a diseased or apparently diseased part. Occassionally these procedures can also remove a FB or a tissue mass like a polyp. It can also help stop bleeding from the GUT by injecting chemicals into or around the bleeding vessels or facilitate banding or clipping a vessel. It is also useful to dilate the GIT tract in case of narrowing or put a stent across the obstruction.