Endoscopy and Laparoscopy refer to some procedures that are performed for diagnosing certain diseases. In these procedures, physicians penetrate or put the equipment to visualize internal parts of the body.
It is the decision of the doctor to prescribe these procedures. There are lots of differences between Endoscopy and Laparoscopy.
Key Takeaways
- Endoscopy is a medical procedure used to examine the inside of the body using an endoscope. In contrast, laparoscopy is a surgical procedure used to examine and treat abdominal organs using a laparoscope.
- Endoscopy is performed under local anesthesia, whereas laparoscopy requires general anesthesia.
- Endoscopy is used to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal bleeding, whereas laparoscopy is used to diagnose and treat conditions such as appendicitis, hernias, and gallbladder disease.
Endoscopy vs Laparoscopy
The difference between Endoscopy and Laparoscopy is that endoscopy accesses the internal body parts through natural orifices like the anal canal, mouth, or vaginal hysterectomy. On the other hand, in laparoscopy, a thin tube accesses the abdominal cavity or the female pelvic organs through an incision or cut in the belly. A physician can perform an endoscopy, wherein Laparoscopy only surgeons can perform it.
Endoscopy refers to a procedure whereby using an endoscope, the internal organs are visualized by penetrating through the natural orifices like the mouth, anal canal, or vaginal hysterectomy.
An endoscope is a thin, long, and flexible tube that has a camera with a light attached at the end. Through the camera, the internal body parts are shown on a TV screen.
Laparoscopy refers to a procedure of surgery where problems are checked in the abdomen area or female pelvic organs by inserting a laparoscope into the abdomen area through an incision.
A laparoscope is a thin tube with a camera at one end. The internal conditions can be seen through the video or image recorded by the camera on a TV screen.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Endoscopy | Laparoscopy |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Endoscopy is a procedure where internal organs of the body are looked at using an endoscope that entered the body through natural orifices like the mouth, anal canal, and vaginal hysterectomy. | Laparoscopy is a procedure where problems are checked in the abdomen area or female pelvic organs by inserting a laparoscope into the abdomen area through an incision. |
| Purpose | The main purpose of endoscopy is to diagnose internal parts of the body with the help of an endoscope. | The main purpose of laparoscopy is to diagnose the source of abdominal or pelvic pain and if needed conduct microsurgery. |
| Procedure | Endoscopy is performed in the consciousness of the patient. Although sometimes patients need to receive local anesthesia, an anesthetic sprays on the backside of the throat. | Laparoscopy is performed under GA or general anesthesia where the surgeon makes several small cuts on the patient’s belly. Each cut is not more than 1 inch. |
| Risks | Endoscopy is a relatively safe procedure, but there are several risks like mild cramping, over-sedation, pain in the area of endoscopy, and so on involved with this procedure. | When laparoscopy is done in women 3 out of 1000 women face several complications like bleeding, infection, abdominal wall inflammation, injury to nearby blood vessels and organs. |
| Types | Endoscopy is performed to diagnose certain parts of the like respiratory tract, urinary tract, ear, gastrointestinal tract, female reproductive tract, and through a small incision. | The types of laparoscopic surgery include repair of hernia, removal of the gallbladder, removal of some parts of the liver, removal of the spleen, and so on. |
What is Endoscopy?
Endoscopy is a procedure where the body’s internal organs are looked at using an endoscope that enters the body through natural orifices like the mouth, anal canal, and vaginal hysterectomy.
Endoscopy is performed to diagnose certain parts of the like respiratory tract, urinary tract, ear, gastrointestinal tract, female reproductive tract and through a small incision.
The endoscope was first designed in the first half of the 19th century. Endoscopy is a relatively safe and quick procedure. The main reason for this procedure is to investigate, confirm, and treatment of the internal body parts.
For endoscopy, the patent does not need to stay overnight in the hospital. It takes around one hour to complete an endoscopy.
In many types of endoscopy, patients need to fast for around twelve hours. It totally depends on the type of endoscopy.
Doctors need to be informed about the previous procedures and current medications of the patient before performing the endoscopy.
Endoscopy is a relatively safe procedure, but there are several risks like mild cramping, over-sedation, pain in the area of endoscopy, and so on involved with this procedure.
Any types of symptoms like vomiting blood, chest pain, breath shortness, dark-colored stool, and persistent and severe abdominal pain after the endoscopy need to be reported to the doctor.
What is Laparoscopy?
Laparoscopy refers to a procedure of surgery where problems are checked in the abdomen area or female pelvic organs by inserting a laparoscope into the abdomen area through an incision.
A laparoscope is a thin tube with a camera at one end. The internal conditions can be seen through the video or image recorded by the camera on a TV screen.
The types of laparoscopic surgery include repair of hernia, removal of the gallbladder, removal of some parts of the liver, removal of the spleen, and so on.
The main purpose of laparoscopy is to diagnose the source of abdominal or pelvic pain and, if needed, conduct microsurgery.
There are several benefits, like less cutting, smaller scars, very short recovery time, less pain and scars heal quickly, and less internal scarring, laparoscopy, compared to other traditional surgeries.
There is an advanced kind of laparoscopic surgery where laparoscopy is performed with the help of robots. In robotic laparoscopic surgery, the mechanical arms of the robots perform the surgery instead of holding instruments manually.
Many surgeons consider laparoscopy surgery very helpful. With robotic laparoscopy, surgeons operate the surgical instruments and the robot by looking at the monitor, which gives high-quality 3-D images of the internal part of the body.
Main Differences Between Endoscopy and Laparoscopy
- Endoscopy accesses the internal body parts through natural orifices like the anal canal, mouth, or vaginal hysterectomy. On the other hand, in laparoscopy, a thin tube accesses the abdominal cavity or the female pelvic organs through an incision or cut in the belly.
- The main purpose of endoscopy is to diagnose internal parts of the body with the help of an endoscope. The main purpose of laparoscopy is to diagnose the source of abdominal or pelvic pain and, if needed, conduct microsurgery.
- Endoscopy is performed in the consciousness of the patient. Although sometimes patients need to receive local anaesthesia, generally, an anaesthetic sprays on the backside of the throat. On the other hand, Laparoscopy is performed under GA or general anaesthesia, where the surgeon makes several small cuts on the patient’s belly. Each cut is not more than 1 inch.
- Endoscopy is a relatively safe procedure, but there are several risks like mild cramping, over-sedation, pain in the area of endoscopy, and so on involved with this procedure. When laparoscopy is done in women, 3 out of 1000 women face several complications like bleeding, infection, abdominal wall inflammation, and injury to nearby blood vessels and organs.
- Endoscopy is performed to diagnose certain parts of the like respiratory tract, urinary tract, ear, gastrointestinal tract, female reproductive tract and through a small incision. The types of laparoscopic surgery include repair of hernia, removal of the gallbladder, removal of some parts of the liver, removal of the spleen, and so on.
- https://www.proquest.com/openview/85f3353d4a3e80e6b24232a0328bc69e/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=31812
- https://www.vetsmall.theclinics.com/article/S0195-5616(03)00058-5/fulltext
Last Updated : 15 August, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
Endoscopy is a very useful and safe procedure for diagnosing and treating various conditions. It’s essential that patients inform their doctors about their medical history and medications before the procedure to avoid any complications.
I agree, it’s important for patients to be transparent with their doctors for a safe endoscopy procedure.
Laparoscopy seems to be more invasive than endoscopy, given that it requires general anesthesia and small incisions in the abdominal area.
You’re right, the use of general anesthesia and small incisions make laparoscopy more complex compared to endoscopy.
The history and safety considerations of endoscopy are fascinating, and it’s reassuring to know that it’s a relatively quick and safe procedure for patients.
Absolutely, knowing the history and safety protocols of endoscopy can help patients feel more at ease before the procedure.
Yes, understanding the development and safety of endoscopy can alleviate patients’ concerns about undergoing the procedure.
The explanation of endoscopy being a relatively quick procedure and the need for fasting highlights important aspects for patients to consider before undergoing this medical intervention.
Absolutely, understanding the timeline and preparation requirements for endoscopy is essential for patients.
Agreed, patients need to be aware of the logistics and fasting requirements for endoscopy to ensure a smooth procedure.
The information about fasting requirements and patient history for endoscopy is crucial, and patients should be well-prepared for these aspects before the procedure.
The detailed comparison between endoscopy and laparoscopy is quite informative and helpful for patients who may need these procedures.
Absolutely, understanding the differences between these procedures is crucial for patients to make informed decisions about their medical care.
Agreed, this information can guide patients in choosing the most suitable diagnostic or treatment method for their condition.
I appreciate the in-depth explanation of the risks associated with both endoscopy and laparoscopy. Patients need to be aware of potential complications to make informed choices.
Yes, informed consent is an important aspect of medical procedures, and patients should be well-informed about potential risks.
Absolutely, understanding the risks involved is crucial for patients to prepare themselves for these procedures.
The distinction between endoscopy and laparoscopy in terms of accessing internal body parts is well-explained and helps patients understand the differences in these procedures.
Agreed, the detailed explanation of how each procedure accesses internal body parts is very informative for patients seeking these medical interventions.
The comparison table provides a comprehensive overview of the differences between endoscopy and laparoscopy, giving patients valuable insights for decision-making.
Absolutely, having a clear comparison table helps patients understand the nuances of each procedure and make informed choices.
Agreed, this comparison table is an excellent resource for patients to understand the contrasting aspects of endoscopy and laparoscopy.
The comparison of endoscopy and laparoscopy highlights the different purposes and types of procedures, which is essential for patients to understand.
Absolutely, this comparison table provides valuable insights into the applications of both endoscopy and laparoscopy.
Indeed, having a clear understanding of the purposes and types of procedures can help patients feel more confident about their medical care.