Basic Endoscopic Accessories

Early endoscope was developed about 50 years ago. It was initially developed as a diagnostic tool. Since then, several modifications in endoscopes have been made with many developments in endoscopic accessories. In the current era, endoscopy is used for both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Endoscopic accessories are essential tools for therapeutic endoscopic procedures. Endoscopic accessories are specially designed devices that pass through accessory channel of the endoscope & therapeutic endoscopic procedures. Routinely encountered endoscopic endoscopy needs commonly available endoscopic accessories. Common clinical problems in day to day practice are gastrointestinal tract bleeding, gastrointestinal tract foreign bodies, gastrointestinal tract strictures and the requirement of enteral access for enteral feeding. These procedures can be carried out in a day-to-day practice after gaining adequate experience and knowledge about the procedures. Commonly used endoscopic accessories can be divided into hemostatic devices, foreign Body (FB) removal devices, feeding tubes, biopsy forceps and dilators. Hemostatic devices are endoscopic accessories to control bleeding from the GI tract. Bleeding from the GI tract may be of variceal or non-variceal origin and accordingly different devices may be required. Various types of foreign body ingested can be encountered during clinical practice which can be dealt with different endoscopic accessories. Enteral feeding is a safe, effective and physiological means of providing enteral nutrition. Depending on the clinical situation, gastric or naso-jejunal enteral access may be required for enteral nutrition. Feeding tubes can be placed endoscopically for enteral access. Different types of feeding tubes are available. Biopsy forceps are tissue acquisition devices for diagnostic purposes.