In today’s world of increasing diagnostic accuracy, endoscopy has become an important tool in all levels of diagnostic procedures, including screening of asymptomatic children. This article aims to help readers understand this procedure and its use in children while showcasing the treatment’s benefits.
Here are the five most common endoscopic procedures performed on infants and children:
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Oesophagus-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD)
EGD is the most common endoscopic procedure performed in children. It involves a visual examination of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum using an upper gastrointestinal endoscope. It can get done either under general anaesthesia or under sedation with local anaesthesia.
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Capsule endoscopy
A new endoscopic technique used in children is capsule endoscopy. The patient swallows a capsule during this process containing a camera that takes pictures of the entire length of the small intestine as it passes through. These pictures are transmitted to a receiver worn around the patient’s waist and stored on a computer for subsequent analysis by a gastroenterologist.
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Colonoscopy
A procedure that enables the doctor to look at the inside of the colon and rectum using a flexible, lighted instrument called a colonoscope. It can help find ulcers, colon polyps, tumours and areas of inflammation or bleeding. Colonoscopy is most often done in adults but can get performed in children.
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Double balloon enteroscopy
This is a relatively new procedure that allows doctors to see what’s in the bowels of children. It’s carried out by making a tiny incision in the mouth, and rescuers can keep the patient on their stomach for the procedure.
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Dilatation
Dilatation is a procedure used to treat a narrowed oesophagus. It involves passing an instrument through the child’s mouth and into the oesophagus. The instrument is then inflated to widen the stricture.
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Dr. Vishesh Dikshit is one of the well-known Pediatric Surgeon in Pune. His main areas of interest are Pediatric Minimal Access Surgeries, Pediatric Colorectal Diseases, and Pediatric Urinary Stone Disease. He has 17+ years of experience in the medical field.