An introduction to endoscopy and endosurgery

The decision to incorporate minimally invasive surgery and diagnostics into a companion animal practice is a complicated one, taking into account practice demographics, economics, staffing, physical plant considerations, practitioner interests, and relative proximity to similar practices. The initial assessment of each patient presenting for an endoscopic or endosurgical procedure is based on the clinical history and general haemodynamic stability of the individual, as well as the stability for the specific procedure being considered. The limits of minimally invasive surgery are being continually expanded as technology advances. This chapter gives an introduction to the History of endoscopy; Incorporating endoscopy into veterinary practice; Patient assessment and stabilization; Flexible versus rigid endoscopy; and Future advances in endoscopic surgery.