An endoscopy is used to investigate unusual symptoms and to help perform types of surgery.  

Investigating symptoms

An endoscopy might be recommended to investigate the following symptoms:

• experiencing difficulties or pain when swallowing (dysphagia)
• persistent abdominal pain
• chest pain that is not caused by heart-related conditions
• continually feeling sick (nausea) and vomiting
• unexplained weight loss
• vomiting blood
• persistent diarrhoea
• blood in your stools

These types of symptoms are usually investigated with a gastroscopy (to examine the upper section of the digestive system) or a colonoscopy (used to examine the bowel). Watch a video on what happens during a colonoscopy.

Other types of endoscopes used to investigate symptoms include:

• arthroscope – used to diagnose symptoms such as unexplained joint pain and stiffness
• cystoscope – used to diagnose bladder problems such as the involuntary passing of urine (urinary incontinence) and blood in your urine
• hysteroscope – used to diagnose problems with the womb, such as unusual vaginal bleeding or repeated miscarriages
• endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) – used to take better images of certain internal organs, such as the pancreas, and take tissue samples

An endoscope can also be used to remove a small sample of tissue for further analysis. This is known as a biopsy.

Therapeutic endoscopy

Modified endoscopes that have surgical instruments attached to or passed through them can be used to carry out certain surgical procedures. For example, they may be used to:

• remove gallstones, bladder stones or kidney stones
• repair a bleeding stomach ulcer
• place a stent across areas of narrowing or blockage
• tie and seal the fallopian tubes (a technique carried out when a woman wishes to be sterilised) 
• remove small tumours from the lungs or digestive system
• remove fibroids – non-cancerous growths that can develop inside the womb 

Laparoscopic surgery

A type of endoscope called a laparoscope is used by surgeons as a visual aid when carrying out keyhole surgery (also known as laparoscopic surgery). During this procedure, small cuts are made, meaning there is less post-operative pain and a faster recovery time compared to traditional open surgery.

Common types of keyhole surgery include:

• removal of an inflamed appendix in cases of appendicitis
• removing the gallbladder, which is often used to treat gallstones
• removing a section of the intestine, which is often used to treat digestive conditions, such as Crohn’s disease or diverticulitis, that do not respond to medication
• repairing hernias
• removing the womb (hysterectomy)
• removing some or all of an organ affected by cancer

Laparoscopies are also widely used to help diagnose many different conditions and investigate certain symptoms. Read more about when a laparoscopy is used.