Our Endoscopic Procedures

Katy Endoscopy Center specializes in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using an endoscope—a small, minimally invasive scope inserted into the body. This flexible instrument allows our physicians to view internal organs, perform biopsies, stop bleeding, and remove polyps or small tumors. Sophisticated cameras on the endoscope capture images that your physician can share with you later.

What to Expect During an Endoscopy

Endoscopic procedures are generally relatively painless, as patients are typically sedated to ensure comfort. Due to the sedation, you must have someone accompany you to the center to drive you home afterward.

Specialized Services

We perform three primary endoscopic procedures to diagnose and treat conditions of the digestive tract:

Colonoscopy

A Colonoscopy is the most well-known procedure, used to examine the entire large intestine (colon), from the rectum to the junction of the small and large intestines.

Why is it performed?

  • Cancer Screening: It is essential for screening individuals aged 45 and older (or those with a family history) for colon cancer.
  • Diagnosis: It is used to evaluate issues like rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, ulcers, and inflammatory bowel diseases.
  • Treatment: During the procedure, the physician can remove polyps (small growths that can become cancerous) and take tissue samples for laboratory examination.

EGD (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy)

An EGD examines the upper digestive tract: the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).

Why is it performed?

An EGD helps physicians discover the reason for symptoms such as:

  • Swallowing difficulties
  • Nausea, vomiting, or reflux
  • Chronic heartburn or indigestion
  • Bleeding or ulcers
  • Abdominal or chest pain

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

A Sigmoidoscopy is similar to a colonoscopy but views only the sigmoid colon (the lower, descending portion of the large intestine).

A note on Sigmoidoscopy: While useful for investigating problems like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bleeding in the lower colon, a sigmoidoscopy is not sufficient to screen for polyps or cancer in the upper sections of the colon. For complete screening, a full colonoscopy is required.