Home » Endoscopy

What is Endoscopy?

Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses an endoscope—a flexible tube with a camera and light—to visualize internal organs or cavities, such as the digestive tract, lungs, or joints, for diagnosis or treatment. It’s commonly used to investigate symptoms like abdominal pain, bleeding, or to perform minor interventions like polyp removal. In India, endoscopy is performed in gastroenterology, pulmonology, or ENT departments at hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS, often at affordable costs. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs is essential for patients.

Why do you need Endoscopy?

Endoscopy is indicated for:

  • Digestive issues:
    • Upper GI endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy, EGD): For acid reflux, ulcers, or bleeding (50–60% of cases).
    • Colonoscopy: For colorectal cancer screening, rectal bleeding, or diarrhea (30–40% of cases).
    • Prevalence in India: 20–30% of adults over 40 experience GI symptoms needing endoscopy; colorectal cancer incidence 4–6 per 100,000 (2023 data).
  • Other indications:
    • Bronchoscopy: Lung issues (e.g., chronic cough, infections; 5–10% of cases).
    • Cystoscopy: Bladder issues (e.g., blood in urine); links to your urologic queries.
    • Failed non-invasive tests: Unexplained symptoms after ultrasound or CT.
  • Types:
    • Diagnostic: To visualize and biopsy (e.g., gastric ulcer biopsy for H. pylori).
    • Therapeutic: Polyp removal, stent placement, or bleeding control (e.g., variceal banding).
  • Associated treatments:
    • Pre-op: Bowel prep (colonoscopy, e.g., polyethylene glycol solution), fasting (4–6 hours for upper GI).
    • Post-op: Monitor for complications, dietary adjustments (e.g., light meals post-procedure).
  • Timing:
    • Performed in adults (average age 30–70 years); elective for screening/diagnosis; urgent for acute bleeding or obstruction.

The procedure aims to diagnose or treat internal issues with minimal invasiveness, offering quick recovery and high diagnostic accuracy.

Why Do Endoscopy Costs Vary in India?

Costs range from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000 :

  • Procedure Type: Upper GI endoscopy (₹5,000–₹10,000); colonoscopy (₹10,000–₹25,000, sedation adds cost).
  • Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis: ₹10,000–₹25,000); lower in government hospitals (AIIMS: ₹2,000–₹5,000, often subsidized under Ayushman Bharat).
  • Intervention: Diagnostic (lower cost); therapeutic (e.g., polypectomy, ₹5,000–₹10,000 extra).
  • Additional Costs: Sedation (₹2,000–₹5,000), biopsy/pathology (₹2,000–₹5,000), medications (₹500–₹2,000).
  • Insurance: Often covered (diagnostic/therapeutic); confirm with your provider.

Endoscopy Procedure

  • Before Procedure Evaluation:
    • Assessment:
      • Blood tests: Clotting profile (if biopsy planned), blood sugar (diabetes control).
      • Medical history: Allergies, medications (e.g., stop blood thinners if safe).
      • Imaging: Often preceded by ultrasound/CT to narrow focus.
    • Preparation: Fasting 4–6 hours (upper GI); bowel prep (colonoscopy); throat spray (local anesthesia for EGD).
    • Consent: Risks, including perforation, are explained.
  • Procedure Technique:
    • Upper GI Endoscopy (EGD):
      • Performed under local anesthesia (throat spray) or sedation (e.g., midazolam), lasting 5–15 minutes.
      • Process:
        • Endoscope (9–10 mm diameter) inserted through mouth, passed into esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
        • Visualization: Camera displays internal structures on monitor; air insufflated to expand area.
        • Intervention (if needed): Biopsy taken (e.g., for H. pylori), bleeding cauterized, or foreign body removed.
        • Completion: Endoscope removed; patient monitored for 1–2 hours if sedated.
    • Colonoscopy:
      • Under sedation, lasting 15–30 minutes; endoscope inserted via rectum to examine colon; polypectomy if needed.
    • Intraoperative Tools:
      • Endoscope: Flexible tube with camera/light.
      • Biopsy forceps: For tissue sampling.
      • Snare: For polyp removal.
  • After Procedure:
    • Hospital stay: Outpatient (1–2 hours observation if sedated; same-day discharge).
    • Care: Resume light diet after 1–2 hours (upper GI); avoid heavy meals for 24 hours (colonoscopy).
    • Pain management: Mild throat discomfort (EGD) or bloating (colonoscopy) for 1–2 hours; usually resolves without medication.
    • Instructions: Avoid driving for 12–24 hours if sedated; monitor for bleeding or pain.

Recovery After Endoscopy

  1. Procedure Duration: Outpatient (1–2 hours observation).
  2. Post-Procedure Care:
    • Discomfort: Mild throat soreness (EGD) or bloating (colonoscopy) for 1–2 hours; resolves same day.
    • Activity: Resume normal activities same day (if no sedation) or next day (if sedated); avoid strenuous activity for 24 hours.
    • Diet: Light meals (e.g., soup, yogurt) for 1–2 hours post-procedure; normal diet by next day.
    • Sedation effects: Drowsiness for 4–6 hours; avoid driving or operating machinery for 12–24 hours.
  3. Follow-Up:
    • Results: Biopsy results in 3–7 days; follow-up if abnormal (e.g., H. pylori treatment).
    • Screening: Repeat colonoscopy every 5–10 years (if normal, per guidelines).

Most resume normal activities within 1 day; full recovery is immediate unless complications occur. Success rate: 95–98% diagnostic accuracy; 90–95% therapeutic success (e.g., polypectomy); <1% complication rate.

Risks and Complications

  • Procedure Risks:
    • Bleeding (0.5–1%): From biopsy or polypectomy; usually self-limiting, rarely needs intervention.
    • Perforation (0.1–0.3%): Tear in organ (e.g., colon); may need surgery (rare).
    • Sedation risks (<1%): Reaction to sedatives; higher in elderly or comorbid patients.
  • Post-Procedure:
    • Infection (0.1–0.5%): Rare with proper sterilization; treated with antibiotics.
    • Bloating (5–10%): From air insufflation; resolves in 1–2 hours.
    • Sore throat (5–10%, EGD): Resolves in 1–2 days; gargle with warm saline.
  • Long-Term:
    • Missed lesions (2–5%): Small polyps or early cancers; mitigated by experienced endoscopists.
    • Recurrence (5–10%): Polyps may regrow; needs regular screening.

Report fever, severe abdominal pain, or persistent bleeding promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What causes the need for endoscopy?

GI symptoms (e.g., acid reflux, rectal bleeding), lung issues (e.g., chronic cough), or bladder concerns (e.g., hematuria).

Can I avoid endoscopy?

Yes, if mild: Non-invasive tests (e.g., stool tests, ultrasound); endoscopy needed for definitive diagnosis or intervention.

Is endoscopy painful?

Mild discomfort (throat soreness or bloating) for 1–2 hours; sedation minimizes pain during procedure.

How soon can I resume normal activities?

Same day (if no sedation) or next day (if sedated); avoid driving for 12–24 hours if sedated.

Is endoscopy covered by insurance in India?

Often covered (diagnostic/therapeutic); confirm with your provider; Ayushman Bharat often subsidizes.

Signs of complications?

Fever, severe abdominal pain, or persistent bleeding.

How effective is endoscopy?

95–98% diagnostic accuracy; 90–95% therapeutic success; <1% complication rate.

Lifestyle changes post-procedure?

Follow dietary advice (e.g., light meals initially), attend follow-ups, and address underlying issues (e.g., H. pylori treatment).

Conclusion

Endoscopy is a safe, effective procedure for diagnosing and treating internal conditions, offering high accuracy and minimal recovery time. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) provide affordable care, often covered by insurance. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach it confidently. Consult a gastroenterologist or relevant specialist for personalized guidance.

Looking for Best Hospitals for Endoscopy

Note: we are not promoting any hospitals

we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)

  • click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
City Minimum Price (₹) Maximum Price (₹)
Agra
5,000
25,000
Ahmedabad
7,000
30,000
Ajmer
5,000
25,000
Aligarh
5,000
25,000
Allahabad
5,000
25,000
Amritsar
6,000
27,000
Aurangabad
6,000
27,000
Bangalore
7,000
30,000
Bareilly
5,000
25,000
Belgaum
6,000
27,000
Bhopal
6,000
27,000
Bhubaneswar
6,000
27,000
Bikaner
5,000
25,000
Chandigarh
7,000
30,000
Chennai
7,000
30,000
Coimbatore
7,000
30,000
Dehradun
6,000
27,000
Delhi
7,000
30,000
Dhanbad
5,000
25,000
Durgapur
5,000
25,000
Faridabad
7,000
30,000
Ghaziabad
7,000
30,000
Gorakhpur
5,000
25,000
Guntur
6,000
27,000
Gurgaon
7,000
30,000
Guwahati
6,000
27,000
Gwalior
5,000
25,000
Hyderabad
7,000
30,000
Indore
6,000
27,000
Jabalpur
5,000
25,000
Jaipur
7,000
30,000
Jalandhar
6,000
27,000
Jamshedpur
6,000
27,000
Jodhpur
5,000
25,000
Kanpur
5,000
25,000
Kochi
7,000
30,000
Kolkata
7,000
30,000
Kollam
6,000
27,000
Lucknow
6,000
27,000
Ludhiana
7,000
30,000
Madurai
6,000
27,000
Mangalore
6,000
27,000
Meerut
5,000
25,000
Moradabad
5,000
25,000
Mumbai
7,000
30,000
Mysore
7,000
30,000
Nagpur
6,000
27,000
Nashik
6,000
27,000
Navi Mumbai
7,000
30,000
Noida
7,000
30,000
Patna
5,000
25,000
Pune
7,000
30,000
Raipur
6,000
27,000
Rajkot
6,000
27,000
Ranchi
5,000
25,000
Surat
7,000
30,000
Thane
7,000
30,000
Vadodara
6,000
27,000
Varanasi
5,000
25,000
Visakhapatnam
6,000
27,000

Disclaimer

This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.

Scroll to Top