Endoscopy Services


Advanced Diagnostic & Therapeutic Endoscopy with Kris Canfield, MD

When digestive symptoms, gastrointestinal bleeding, or unexplained pain arise, accurate diagnosis is essential. At Kris Canfield, MD – General Surgery, we provide expert endoscopic services designed to visualize, diagnose, and in many cases treat conditions affecting your digestive tract. Our goal: less invasive care, faster recovery, and precise results.


What Is Endoscopy?

An endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a thin, flexible tube (an endoscope) equipped with a camera and light is guided into the body — typically through the mouth or rectum — to view the internal lining of organs such as the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon. Cleveland Clinic+2MedStar Health+2

Because many endoscopes have channels for instruments, your surgeon can also perform biopsies, remove polyps, treat bleeding, dilate narrowed passages, or carry out other small therapeutic interventions during the same procedure. MedStar Health+2WebMD+2


Types of Endoscopic Procedures We Offer

At our practice, we can provide a range of endoscopic evaluations and treatments, including but not limited to:

  • Upper Endoscopy (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, EGD): Examines the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum — useful for symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, swallowing difficulty, upper GI pain, bleeding, or ulcers.
  • Colonoscopy / Lower Endoscopy: Visualizes the colon and rectum to detect and remove polyps, diagnose inflammatory bowel disease, evaluate bleeding, or screen for colorectal cancer.
  • Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: Examines the distal part of the colon (sigmoid) for selected indications.
  • Endoscopic Biopsy / Polypectomy: Tissue samples or polyp removal performed during endoscopy.
  • Therapeutic Interventions: Such as treating bleeding lesions, dilating narrowed areas (stricturing), or removing foreign bodies.
  • Advanced Procedures (depending on expertise): e.g. ERCP (for bile duct problems), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) — if your practice supports or refers for these advanced studies.

You should adjust this list to those procedures you personally offer or co-manage.


Why Choose Endoscopy?

  • Direct visualization: You get a clear, real-time view of internal GI surfaces.
  • Diagnostic & therapeutic: Both inspection and treatment can often be done in the same session (e.g., biopsy, polyp removal).
  • Minimally invasive: No large incisions, and patients often recover quickly.
  • Early detection: Enables identification of early disease, cancers, or pre-cancerous lesions.
  • Precision: With modern endoscopes, techniques such as narrow-band imaging or enhanced optics can better highlight abnormal tissue. Wikipedia


What to Expect: The Endoscopy Journey

1. Pre-Procedure Preparation

  • You will receive clear instructions on fasting, medications, bowel prep (for lower GI endoscopy), and other preparation steps.
  • We review your medical history, allergies, and any medications (especially blood thinners or anticoagulants).
  • An informed consent discussion will cover benefits, risks, and alternatives.

2. During the Procedure

  • You will receive sedation for your comfort (often moderate sedation or deep sedation, depending on the procedure). WebMD+1
  • A monitoring team will track vital signs.
  • The endoscope is guided to the target site, images are captured, and any indicated treatment (biopsy, cauterization, polyp removal, dilation) is performed.

3. Recovery & Post-Procedure

  • After the procedure, you'll be moved to a recovery area and monitored as the sedation wears off.
  • Mild throat soreness, bloating, or gas is common and usually resolves within hours to a day. Wikipedia+1
  • You’ll get specific instructions on diet, activity, medications, and signs to watch for.
  • Results of biopsies or pathology will be shared once available.

4. Follow-Up

  • We’ll recommend further evaluation, repeat scopes, surveillance, or treatment plans based on findings.


Benefits & Considerations

Benefits:

  • Accurate diagnosis of GI conditions
  • Ability to address problems during the same procedure
  • Shorter recovery compared to open surgery
  • Reduced risk in many cases

Risks & Limitations:
Like any medical procedure, endoscopy has potential risks, though they are uncommon. These include bleeding (especially after biopsy or polyp removal), perforation (small tears), adverse reactions to sedation, or infection. Wikipedia+2WebMD+2

We take every precaution to minimize risks and personalize care for your safety.


Why Trust Kris Canfield, MD?

  • Board-certified general surgeon with specialized training in minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques
  • Dedication to patient comfort, safety, and clear communication
  • State-of-the-art facilities and equipment
  • Emphasis on personalized care and continuity from diagnosis through follow-up

When you choose us, you're choosing an approach that blends technical excellence with compassionate patient care.


Schedule Your Endoscopy Consultation

If you're experiencing digestive symptoms such as persistent abdominal pain, bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or changes in bowel habits — or if you’ve been referred for an endoscopic evaluation — contact Kris Canfield, MD – General Surgery today.

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Let us help you get answers with minimally invasive precision.