Urology (endourology)

Endoscopy of the digestive tract is a core component of specialist training in internal medicine and gastroenterology. Physicians there perform examinations of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum as well as colonoscopies, complemented by endoscopic ultrasound, small-bowel endoscopy and interventions on the bile and pancreatic ducts. Therapeutically, they stop bleeding, treat varices, remove polyps, place stents or feeding tubes and dilate strictures. Sedation and monitoring of patients during endoscopy are part of their competence. Emergency endoscopic procedures, for example for acute gastrointestinal bleeding, are as much part of the specialty as colorectal cancer screening. For treatment decisions they work together with surgery, radiology and tumour boards.