What is therapeutic endoscopy?
Therapeutic endoscopy is a procedure to treat certain conditions via an endoscope. Unlike a standard endoscopy that is utilized solely for diagnosing a condition, a therapeutic endoscopy is used as a tool for performing procedures that may effectively treat conditions for various parts of the digestive system, including:
- Bile ducts
- Esophagus
- Gallbladder
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Stomach
- Small intestine
Conditions
Conditions that may be treated through therapeutic endoscopy include:
- Blocked bile ducts
- Fistulas
- Migrating stents
- Pancreatic cysts
- Tumors
Procedures performed with therapeutic endoscopy
Procedures that are performed through the use of therapeutic endoscopy include:
- Cholangioscopy: This is a non-invasive endoscopic procedure used to visualize and treat conditions of the bile ducts.
- Endoscopic lithotripsy: This procedure is performed to locate and fragment calculi stones into removable or passable pieces. Calculi are formations of mineral salts that are found in an organ or duct of the body.
- Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR): This technique is conducted to remove abnormal or cancerous tissues from the digestive tract.
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): Used in conjunction with x-rays, this procedure treats conditions of the pancreatic and bile ducts.
- Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD): An advanced procedure conducted to remove gastrointestinal tumors.
- Endoscopic suturing: A technique performed for treating primary obesity to restrict gastric size.
- Fistula closure: An endoscopic procedure conducted to close gastric, duodenal and colonic perforations (fistulas).
- Pancreatic cyst management: Pancreatic cysts are pockets of fluid on or within the pancreas. Therapeutic endoscopy assists in draining these pockets should the patient become symptomatic.
For more information on therapeutic endoscopy or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.
