Gastrointestinal endoscopy

I/ WHAT IS GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY?

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a safe procedure that allows examination of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, or colon and rectum using a flexible tube with a camera attached at the end. Through the images captured by the endoscope, doctors can observe, assess, classify the extent of lesions, make accurate diagnoses, and develop appropriate treatment plans, as well as perform direct interventions on the lesions.

Endoscopy can help doctors detect very small lesions, only a few millimeters in size, that other methods such as ultrasound, CT, MRI, or X-ray may miss. In addition, during endoscopy, doctors can perform biopsies to look for cancer cells, collect tissue samples, or remove polyps. For these reasons, endoscopy is considered the "gold standard" for diagnosing and screening gastrointestinal diseases.

II/ GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY SERVICES AT CAREPLUS

1. DIAGNOSTIC ENDOSCOPY

a. ESOPHAGOGASTRODUODENOSCOPY (EGD)

Used to screen for upper gastrointestinal conditions such as:

• Esophagitis, peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), achalasia, polyps, functional dyspepsia, Helicobacter pylori infection, etc.

• Screen for complications such as esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis.

• Detect precancerous gastric lesions: atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia.

• Screen for upper gastrointestinal cancers: esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, etc.

b. COLONOSCOPY

Used to examine benign conditions in the lower gastrointestinal tract such as:

• Hemorrhoids, anal fissures, anal fistulas, ulcerative colitis, colonic diverticula, irritable bowel syndrome, etc.

• Screen for polyps, colorectal cancer, and monitor after treatment.

c. FULL UPPER AND LOWER GI ENDOSCOPY

Advantages of combined endoscopy:

• Time-saving: Examine the entire gastrointestinal tract in one session instead of two separate ones.

• Less pain: The doctor performs a complete inspection in a single session, avoiding multiple procedures.

• Reduced stress and discomfort for patients compared to repeated endoscopy.

• More cost-effective compared to individual procedures.

2. INTERVENTIONAL ENDOSCOPY

Interventional gastrointestinal endoscopy is the next step following diagnostic endoscopy. After diagnosing the condition (esophagus – stomach – duodenum or colon – rectum), if an endoscopic intervention is required, the doctor can perform it immediately.

The entire process of diagnosis and treatment intervention is done in a single endoscopy session, minimizing invasiveness, reducing pain, and shortening the examination time.

Applications of interventional endoscopy include:

• Hemostasis for gastrointestinal bleeding

• Polyp removal

• Dilation procedures

• Foreign body retrieval

• Mucosal biopsies

III/ MODERN ENDOSCOPY EQUIPMENT SYSTEM

CarePlus International Clinic uses state-of-the-art Japanese endoscopic equipment to provide high-quality gastrointestinal endoscopy services and early detection of GI diseases. The endoscopy area meets strict hygiene and sterilization standards, with all instruments sterilized according to the most rigorous European protocols.

1. PENTAX GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY SYSTEM
(Used for painless and sedated endoscopy)

Equipped with HD+ technology, i-Scan, and advanced lighting systems, this modern endoscopy platform allows doctors to clearly visualize the entire digestive tract, define lesion boundaries, assess polyp progression, and support early cancer detection, accurate diagnosis, and effective GI disease treatment.

2. OLYMPUS GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY SYSTEM
(Used for sedated endoscopy)

This high-end endoscopy device offers up to 100x magnification and is designed for quick, accurate diagnosis and evaluation of gastrointestinal conditions. It helps assess intestinal mucosal damage and observe precancerous lesions, while also improving patient comfort and reducing anxiety during the procedure.