Flexible Endoscopy

Flexible endoscopy is a minimal invasive diagnostic technique that can be used to access and image areas of the body that would otherwise be impossible to reach without major surgical intervention.

Patients requiring flexible endoscopy will require general anaesthesia, but due to the minimally invasive nature of the technique are usually able to return home on the same day.

Some examples of procedures involving a flexible endoscope are:

• Bronchoscopy - This is where the endoscope is passed down into an animal’s respiratory system via the mouth. This allows magnified examination of the trachea and interior of the lungs, targeted sample gathering (such as lavage), and is the least traumatic way to remove any foreign bodies e.g. grass seeds, stones
• Gastroduodenoscopy - This is where the endoscope is passed down into an animal’s digestive system via the mouth. It allows magnified examination of the oesophagus, stomach and upper part of the small intestine, targeted sample gathering (biopsy), and minimally traumatic removal of foreign bodies e.g. plastic containers, needles
• Lower GI Endoscopy - This is where the endoscope is passed into the lower digestive tract to examine the rectum, colon, caecum and ileum. Biopsies may be taken and polyps or small tumours may be removed or debulked with a diode laser.
• Urethrocystoscopy - This is where the endoscope is passed transurethrally into the bladder. It can be indicated as a minimally invasive method of obtaining bladder tissue samples in a minimally invasive fashion

Flexible endoscopy is performed by Mr Philip Lhermette FRCVS on an appointment basis.