ASGE Recognized Industry Associate (ARIA) Training Program OPEN | October 2025-Tools of the Gastroenterologist

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This document provides a comprehensive introduction to gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, outlining key procedures, tools, and indications used by gastroenterologists. <br /><br />Upper endoscopy (EGD) involves examining the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, indicated for symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, reflux, dysphagia, anemia, bleeding, esophageal varices, foreign body removal, and feeding tube placement. The procedure involves visualizing anatomical landmarks including the gastroesophageal junction, stomach curvatures, and duodenum.<br /><br />Colonoscopy examines the colon and terminal ileum, requiring bowel preparation with a liquid diet and laxatives. It is indicated for colorectal cancer screening, surveillance, and diagnostic purposes such as abdominal pain, bleeding, anemia, inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea, and abnormal imaging. Therapeutic uses include polyp removal, bleeding control, volvulus reduction, decompression, and stenting.<br /><br />Several basic accessories facilitate endoscopic procedures:<br />- Biopsy forceps: for tissue sampling and small polyp removal.<br />- Polypectomy snares: various types used to remove polyps via cold or hot (electric current) techniques.<br />- Retrieval baskets/nets: for removing large polyps, food, or foreign bodies.<br />- Injection needles: to inject medications, dyes, or saline for hemostasis, lifting polyps, tattooing, and Botox delivery.<br />- Hemoclips: to treat bleeding and close defects.<br />- Electrocautery probes and argon plasma coagulation: for coagulating bleeding tissue.<br />- Band ligators: for esophageal varices banding and mucosal resections.<br /><br />Advanced procedures include ERCP, which uses a side-viewing scope and fluoroscopy to evaluate and treat bile duct and pancreatic diseases, including stone removal and stenting. Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) combines endoscopy with ultrasound for detailed GI wall imaging, cancer staging, fine needle aspiration, and evaluation of submucosal lesions and pancreatic pseudocysts.<br /><br />The document concludes with an overview of these techniques, their indications, and tools, providing a foundational understanding of GI endoscopy.

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Sushovan Guha, MD, PhD

Keywords

gastrointestinal endoscopy

upper endoscopy

colonoscopy

biopsy forceps

polypectomy snares

retrieval baskets

injection needles

hemoclips

ERCP

endoscopic ultrasound