Ambulatory Procedures Center (APC)

In addition to outpatient surgery, the Ambulatory Procedures Center provides outpatient services for a variety of procedures, including colonoscopy, EGD and bronchoscopy.

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 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.

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.