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Why choose Geisinger for endoscopy?

Ready to eat your favorite meal without regret? Or enjoy a day without heartburn, cramps or stomach pain slowing you down? Getting answers about your ongoing heartburn, stomach pain or other gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms is the first step to feeling better.

With endoscopy, it’s easier than you think. Using an endoscope — a long, thin tube with a camera — your doctor can see what’s going on inside your GI tract. They can often diagnose and treat the issue in a single visit. That means less waiting and fewer appointments before you start feeling better.

You'll have a care team of gastroenterologists and specialists working together to build a plan around your needs. With endoscopy locations throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania, you won't have to go far to get the answers — and treatment — you're looking for.

Conditions we treat

Related specialties

Advanced endoscopy procedures

When a traditional endoscopy can’t diagnose or treat certain GI conditions, your doctor may recommend an advanced endoscopy, which can include one of the following procedures:

Barrx radiofrequency ablation system

This noninvasive endoscopy uses radiofrequency (heat) to treat abnormalities in your upper GI tract. A Barrx™ radiofrequency ablation removes cells from your esophagus (the tube that carries food to your stomach) before they can turn into cancer cells, leaving healthy tissue behind.

This treatment is often used to treat Barrett’s esophagus during an upper endoscopy. Barrett’s esophagus increases the risk of esophageal cancer, so diagnosing and treating it early gives you the best chance of beating cancer before it develops.

Bravo test

This test monitors the pH levels of your esophagus and is frequently used to treat acid reflux, heartburn, chest pain, cough and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as long-term acid reflux.

During a Bravo™ test, a small pill is placed into your esophagus and measures acid exposure for up to 8 days. You’ll be given a device to record your symptoms, along with a diary for keeping track of them. By reviewing the information collected through this test, your endoscopy doctor can form a diagnosis and treatment plan customized to you.

Cryoballoon and cryospray

Your surgeon uses a freezing gas to destroy precancerous cells or high- or low-grade dysplasia. This procedure can be performed with or without endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), which is explained below. It can also treat Barrett's esophagus by using radiofrequency ablation.

Endoluminal stenting

During this procedure, your surgeon places a stent in your esophagus, small bowel or colon to manage an obstruction in your GI tract. This treatment can be used for cancerous or noncancerous blockages in your GI tract.

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)

The EMR procedure is used to remove early stages of cancer and precancerous growth from the lining of your digestive tract, as well as for removing tumors and large polyps and removing or resecting tissue — without the need to undergo a surgical procedure.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

Using an endoscope, your surgeon does this test to see inside your pancreatic, hepatic and bile ducts — the small tubes that carry digestive juices from your liver and pancreas to your intestines.

This test, known as ERCP, can be used to remove stones from your gallbladder and bile ducts. ERCP can also diagnose and treat obstructive jaundice, pancreatic cancer, biliary strictures, and leakage and drainage of pancreatic cysts or pseudocysts.

Impedance probe and “endo flip”

With this test, a wand-like device helps your doctor to monitor the amount of reflux (acid and non-acid) in your esophagus. A thin tube runs through your nose and throat and measures the amount of acid concentration in your esophagus. This method is also used to measure the resistance and function of your esophageal muscle.

Upper endoscopic ultrasound

This test lets your surgeon examine your stomach lining and the walls of your upper GI tract. That includes your stomach, esophagus and duodenum (the first section of your small intestine). They can also use it to examine your lungs, gallbladder and pancreas.

This test can determine whether certain cancers have spread to lymph nodes or blood vessels. Or your doctor may use it to diagnose cancers, conditions and diseases including:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Abnormal weight loss
  • Bile duct diseases
  • Certain digestive system and respiratory system cancers
  • Gallbladder diseases
  • Lumps, lesions and cysts
  • Pancreas diseases

Other advanced endoscopy procedures

  • Achalasia dilation
  • Chromoendoscopy
  • Colonoscopy
  • Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR/EGD)
  • Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)
  • Endoscopic ultrasound-directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE)
  • Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)
  • Fiducial placement
  • Hemorrhoid energy therapy (HET)
  • Necrosectomy
  • Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM)
  • Single balloon enteroscopy
  • Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF)
  • Zenker's diverticulum treatment

FAQs

What is an endoscopy?

An endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows your doctor to look at your digestive tract using an endoscope — a long, thin tube with a camera on the end. This device gives them a clear view of the digestive tract so they can diagnose a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. 

There are 2 types of endoscopies: 

  • Upper endoscopy: A small, flexible tube with a light is inserted through the mouth to view the esophagus, stomach or small intestine.
  • Lower endoscopy: A small, flexible tube with a light is inserted into the large intestine to examine the colon, rectum or sigmoid colon. A lower endoscopy may also be called a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

How should I prepare for an endoscopy?

Preparing for your endoscopy is easier than you might think. The day before your procedure, you’ll need to follow a clear liquid diet. You won’t eat or drink anything for 8 hours before the procedure itself.

If you’re having a lower endoscopy, you’ll also need to take laxatives the day before the procedure. This properly empties your bowels so your doctor can get a clearer view of your colon and rectum.

What happens during an endoscopy?

Before your endoscopy, your doctor may offer you a pain reliever or sedative to help you relax. You’ll also have the option of anesthesia during your procedure, or you can choose to go without it. Not using anesthesia may shorten your procedure time by up to half, but the choice is yours.

Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from your appointment if you choose to have anesthesia. 

If needed, your doctor can take a tissue sample (known as a biopsy) for testing during the procedure. The entire process typically takes between 15 and 30 minutes.

What can I expect after an endoscopy?

After your endoscopy, it’s common to have some or all of the following symptoms:

  • Bloating and gas
  • Cramps
  • Sore throat
  • Grogginess as your anesthesia wears off (if you choose to have it)

If your provider removed polyps during your procedure, you may need a special diet for a few days afterward.

Endoscopy at Geisinger

Here’s what you can expect from our advanced endoscopy services:

  • The knowledge you need: Your care team is powered by gastroenterologists, surgeons and specialists to cover all the angles. We’ll work with you to develop a personalized care plan based precisely on your needs.
  • Care designed for you, where you live: With locations throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania, you won’t have to travel far for your endoscopy.
  • Specialized GI procedures: Your specialists can often use endoscopy to diagnose GI issues and treat them in the same visit, saving you time and money.