ABSTRACT
The word endoscopy was adopted from Greek, meaning “to examine within” (Benedict 1951; Berci 1976). The endoscope is an instrument for examining the interior of a hollow viscus. In modern medicine it also facilitates therapeutic interventions. The earliest concept of the endoscope can be traced back to the 1800s according to Berci (1976). In 1806, Bozzini tried to developed a method for examination of deeply seated organs. He used a wax candle as the light source, a shaped tin tub, and a reflector mirror. In 1868, Bevan extracted foreign objects and saw the esophagus strictures and tumors. In 1870, Kussmaul demonstrated the first endoscopy (esophagogastroscopy) examination employing a volunteer professional sword swallower as the “patient.” This “open-tube endoscope” had been further developed and refined for many years. For example, two tubes were combined together for easier introduction.
