Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is one medical procedure where robotics is involved. During a colonoscopy, a colonoscope is used so the surgeon can see the inner lining of the colon and the rectum. This is a long tubular instrument that’s also flexible so it’s able to move through the entire inner lining, allowing the surgeon a chance to see everything he or she needs to see during the procedure.

A colonoscopy is typically recommended if a patient has rectal bleeding, a change in their bowels or a type of unexplained abdominal symptom. The colon must be thoroughly cleaned before a colonoscopy, so patients have to refrain from eating solid foods for 24-48 hours before their procedure, drink lots of water and usually take some type of laxative the evening before.

EGD

EGD — the abbreviation for esophagogastroduodenoscopy — is an imaging test. Surgeons do this test to optically examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach and upper duodenum. They use a flexible fiber optic endoscope to perform this visual examination.

An EGD is performed for diagnostic purposes and lets the surgeon remove tissue samples for further analysis. Sometimes this procedure is done to find and remove a foreign object that’s gotten lodged in a patient’s esophagus.

Before this test, patients are not allowed to eat or drink anything for a certain amount of time.

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