In addition to outpatient surgery, the Ambulatory Procedures Center provides outpatient services for a variety of procedures, including colonoscopy, EGD and bronchoscopy. It is physically located within Thompson's Surgical Care Center and can be easily accessed by entering the Constellation Center for Health and Healing via The Thompson Way between the Sands Cancer Center and the Eye Care Center.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is a procedure that examines the lining of your entire large intestine (colon), from the rectum to the lower end of the small intestine. The procedure is used to:

• Look for early signs of cancer in the colon and rectum
• Diagnose the causes of unexplained changes in bowel habits

The procedure involves a small, flexible tube equipped with a video camera that transmits images of the inside of the colon to a monitor. This allows the physician to examine the colon lining for any disease or abnormalities such as inflamed tissue (colitis), polyps, ulcers or bleeding.

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is a test to view the airways and diagnose lung disease. It may also be used during the treatment of some lung conditions. Common reasons to perform a bronchoscopy for diagnosis are:

• Lung growth, lymph node or other changes seen on an x-ray or other imaging test
• Suspected interstitial lung disease
• Coughing up blood
• Possible foreign object in the airway
• Cough that has lasted more than three months without any other explanation
• Infections in the lungs and bronchi that cannot be diagnosed any other way
• Inhaled toxic gas or chemical

You may also have a bronchoscopy to treat a lung or airway problem, such as to:

• Remove fluid or mucus plugs from your airways
• Remove a foreign object from your airways
• Widen (dilate) an airway that is blocked or narrowed
• Drain an abscess
• Wash out an airway (therapeutic lavage)

Bronchoscopies are performed using a bronchoscope, a device used to see the inside of the airways and lungs. Although it can be flexible or rigid, a flexible bronchoscope is almost always used.

EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy)

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a test to examine the lining of the esophagus (the tube that connects your throat to your stomach), stomach and first part of the small intestine. It is done with a small camera called a flexible endoscope that is inserted down the throat. EGD may be done if you have symptoms that are new, cannot be explained, or are not responding to treatment, such as:

• Black or tarry stools or vomiting blood
• Bringing food back up (regurgitation)
• Feeling full sooner than normal or after eating less than usual
• Feeling that food is stuck behind the breastbone
• Heartburn
• Low blood count (anemia) that cannot be explained
• Pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen
• Swallowing problems or pain with swallowing
• Weight loss that cannot be explained
• Nausea or vomiting that does not go away

Your doctor may also order this test if you:

• Have cirrhosis of the liver, to look for swollen veins in the walls of the lower part of the esophagus, which may begin to bleed
• Have Crohn's disease
• Need more follow-up or treatment for a condition that has been diagnosed

For more information, contact the Ambulatory Procedures Center at (585) 396-6595.