PLEASE NOTE THAT A MORE RECENT EDITION OF THIS TITLE IS AVAILABLE IN THE LIBRARY

When most veterinary surgeons hear the term endoscopy, they think of a flexible endoscope being used to examine the upper or lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In reality, the general term endoscopy means 'to look inside', and refers to an almost endless number of applications that make use of both flexible and rigid endoscopes. To name a few, GI endoscopy, bronchoscopy, cystoscopy, rhinoscopy, arthroscopy, laparoscopy and thoracoscopy are all endoscopic procedures performed by doctors and veterinary surgeons using flexible or rigid endoscopes, depending upon the anatomy, available equipment and preference of the surgeon. This chapter considers Flexible endoscopes; Rigid endoscopes; The endoscope system; The endoscopy team and theatre set up; and Care, cleaning, storage and maintenance.