Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (837 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Instruments for the visual examination of interior structures of the body. There are rigid endoscopes and flexible fiberoptic endoscopes for various types of viewing in endoscopy.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Endoscope.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Diagnostic Equipment; Surgical Equipment
- Narrower topics
- Angioscopes; Arthroscopes; Bronchoscopes; Colposcopes; Culdoscopes; Cystoscopes; Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal; Fetoscopes; Hysteroscopes; Laparoscopes; Laryngoscopes; Mediastinoscopes; Neuroendoscopes; Thoracoscopes
- See also
- Endoscopy
Related concepts
- Endoscopy
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 27,720 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Endoscopes” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 3,166 of them (11.4%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 11,694 records.
Reviews account for 3,014 records (10.9%) and meta-analyses for 138. Randomized controlled trials number 1,450 (5.2%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 11,694 |
| 2000-2009 | 6,032 |
| 2010-2019 | 6,828 |
| 2020 onward | 3,166 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 3,014 | 10.9% |
| Meta-analyses | 138 | 0.5% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 1,450 | 5.2% |
Method: PubMed query "Endoscopes"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in diagnostics and medical technology
A test or device is judged by how well it detects a condition, how often it gives false alarms or misses cases, and whether using it improves outcomes for people. Accuracy depends on who is tested and how common the condition is, so a test that performs well in a specialist hospital can perform differently in the community. Check the reference standard, the population studied, the sensitivity and specificity and whether results were confirmed in a separate group.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video versus direct laryngoscopy in critically ill patients: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials | 2024 | Meta-analysis Design not recorded in structured metadata | 37 | cc by PMID 38167459 · DOI · PMC10759602 |
| Learned end-to-end high-resolution lensless fiber imaging towards real-time cancer diagnosis | 2022 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 16 | cc by PMID 36344626 · DOI · PMC9640670 |
| Usefulness of video laryngoscopy in tracheal intubation at thyroid surgical position for intraoperative neuromonitoring | 2024 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 8 | cc by PMID 38424153 · DOI · PMC10904775 |
| Flexible IMU Sensor Array For 3D Colonoscope Shape Reconstruction and AI-Based Loop Detection | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 0 | cc by PMID 42017436 · DOI · PMC13285112 |
Video versus direct laryngoscopy in critically ill patients: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundThe utilization of video laryngoscopy (VL) has demonstrated superiority over direct laryngoscopy (DL) for intubation in surgical settings.
- Closing excerpt
- Registered 6 July 2023.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (219 words)
BackgroundThe utilization of video laryngoscopy (VL) has demonstrated superiority over direct laryngoscopy (DL) for intubation in surgical settings. However, its effectiveness in the intensive care unit and emergency department settings remains uncertain.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing VL versus DL in critically ill patients. Critical setting was defined as emergency department and intensive care unit. This systematic review and meta-analysis followed Cochrane and PRISMA recommendations. R version 4.3.1 was used for statistical analysis and heterogeneity was examined with I2 statistics. All outcomes were submitted to random-effect models.ResultsOur meta-analysis of 14 RCTs, compromising 3981 patients assigned to VL (n = 2002) or DL (n = 1979). Compared with DL, VL significantly increased successful intubations on the first attempt (RR 1.12; 95% CI 1.04-1.20; p 2 = 82%). Regarding adverse events, VL reduced the number of esophageal intubations (RR 0.44; 95% CI 0.24-0.80; p 2 = 0%) and incidence of aspiration episodes (RR 0.63; 95% CI 0.41-0.96; p = 0.03; I2 = 0%) compared to DL.ConclusionVL is a more effective and safer strategy compared with DL for increasing successful intubations on the first attempt and reducing esophageal intubations in critically ill patients. Our findings support the routine use of VL in critically ill patients. Registration CRD42023439685 https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023439685 . Registered 6 July 2023.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38167459 · DOI · PMC10759602
Learned end-to-end high-resolution lensless fiber imaging towards real-time cancer diagnosis [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Recent advances in label-free histology promise a new era for real-time diagnosis in neurosurgery.
- Closing excerpt
- The novel technique enables histological real-time imaging with lensless fiber endoscopy and is promising for a quick and minimally invasive intraoperative treatment and cancer diagnosis in neurosurgery.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (198 words)
Recent advances in label-free histology promise a new era for real-time diagnosis in neurosurgery. Deep learning using autofluorescence is promising for tumor classification without histochemical staining process. The high image resolution and minimally invasive diagnostics with negligible tissue damage is of great importance. The state of the art is raster scanning endoscopes, but the distal lens optics limits the size. Lensless fiber bundle endoscopy offers both small diameters of a few 100 microns and the suitability as single-use probes, which is beneficial in sterilization. The problem is the inherent honeycomb artifacts of coherent fiber bundles (CFB). For the first time, we demonstrate an end-to-end lensless fiber imaging with exploiting the near-field. The framework includes resolution enhancement and classification networks that use single-shot CFB images to provide both high-resolution imaging and tumor diagnosis. The well-trained resolution enhancement network not only recovers high-resolution features beyond the physical limitations of CFB, but also helps improving tumor recognition rate. Especially for glioblastoma, the resolution enhancement network helps increasing the classification accuracy from 90.8 to 95.6%. The novel technique enables histological real-time imaging with lensless fiber endoscopy and is promising for a quick and minimally invasive intraoperative treatment and cancer diagnosis in neurosurgery.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 36344626 · DOI · PMC9640670
Usefulness of video laryngoscopy in tracheal intubation at thyroid surgical position for intraoperative neuromonitoring [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- This observational study aimed to compare the glottic view between video and direct laryngoscopy for tracheal intubation in the surgical position for thyroid surgery with intraoperative neuromonitoring.
- Closing excerpt
- This enhancement may potentially facilitate the proper placement of the electromyography tracheal tube and prevent tube displacement due to positional change for thyroid surgery.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (262 words)
This observational study aimed to compare the glottic view between video and direct laryngoscopy for tracheal intubation in the surgical position for thyroid surgery with intraoperative neuromonitoring. Patients scheduled for elective thyroid surgery with intraoperative neuromonitoring were enrolled. After the induction of anesthesia, patients were positioned in the thyroid surgical posture with a standard inclined pillow under their head and back. An investigator assessed the glottic view using the percentage of glottic opening (POGO) scale and the modified Cormack-Lehane grade in direct laryngoscopy and then video laryngoscopy sequentially while using the same McGRATH™ MAC video laryngoscope at once, with or without external laryngeal manipulation, at the surgical position. A total of thirty-nine patients were participated in this study. Without external laryngeal manipulation, the POGO scale significantly improved during video laryngoscopy compared to direct laryngoscopy in the thyroid surgical position (60.0 ± 38.2% vs. 22.4 ± 23.8%; mean difference (MD) 37.6%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [29.1, 46.0], P < 0.001). Additionally, with external laryngeal manipulation, the POGO scale showed a significant improvement during video laryngoscopy compared to direct laryngoscopy (84.6 ± 22.9% vs. 58.0 ± 36.3%; MD 26.7%, 95% CI = [18.4, 35.0] (P < 0.001). The superiority of video laryngoscopy was also observed for the modified Cormack-Lehane grade. In conclusion, video laryngoscopy with the McGRATH™ MAC video laryngoscope, when compared to direct laryngoscopy with it, improved the glottic view during tracheal intubation in the thyroid surgical position. This enhancement may potentially facilitate the proper placement of the electromyography tracheal tube and prevent tube displacement due to positional change for thyroid surgery.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38424153 · DOI · PMC10904775
Flexible IMU Sensor Array For 3D Colonoscope Shape Reconstruction and AI-Based Loop Detection [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Looping during colonoscopy procedures is a major cause of patient discomfort and increases the risk of complications.
- Closing excerpt
- These results demonstrate feasibility in an artificial environment, while further validation in clinical settings is required.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (158 words)
Looping during colonoscopy procedures is a major cause of patient discomfort and increases the risk of complications. With the rising incidence of colorectal cancer, there is an urgent need for safer and more efficient colonoscopy techniques. We developed a proof-of-concept platform for 3D visualization of the colonoscope combined with artificial intelligence (AI)-based loop detection. The system consists of an array of 15 inertial measurement units (IMUs) mounted on a flexible printed circuit board that can be retrofitted into the instrument channel of conventional colonoscopes. Using sensor fusion algorithms, the position and orientation of individual IMUs are estimated to reconstruct the 3D shape of the colonoscope in real time. The system successfully reconstructed the colonoscope shape in a silicone colon phantom, and the AI model achieved high loop-detection performance with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.95 on test data. These results demonstrate feasibility in an artificial environment, while further validation in clinical settings is required.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42017436 · DOI · PMC13285112
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Video-laryngoscopes in the adult airway management: a topical review of the literature [5]
- Research article Wireless capsule endoscopy [6]
- Research article Flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy for stones >2 cm: a systematic review and meta-analysis [7]
- Research article Reprocessing of flexible endoscopes and endoscopic accessories used in gastrointestinal endoscopy: Position Statement of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) and European Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (ESGENA) - Update 2018 [8]
- Research article Retention associated with video capsule endoscopy: systematic review and meta-analysis [9]
- Research article Videolaryngoscopy versus direct laryngoscopy for adults undergoing tracheal intubation [10]
References
- Araújo B, Rivera A, Martins S, Abreu R, Cassa P, Silva M, et al.. Video versus direct laryngoscopy in critically ill patients: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. . 2024. PMID 38167459 · DOI · PMC10759602
- Wu J, Wang T, Uckermann O, Galli R, Schackert G, Cao L, et al.. Learned end-to-end high-resolution lensless fiber imaging towards real-time cancer diagnosis. . 2022. PMID 36344626 · DOI · PMC9640670
- Won D, Lee JM, Lee J, Chai YJ, Hwang JY, Kim TK, et al.. Usefulness of video laryngoscopy in tracheal intubation at thyroid surgical position for intraoperative neuromonitoring. . 2024. PMID 38424153 · DOI · PMC10904775
- Panula T, Halkilahti A, Ivanov A, Kaisti M. Flexible IMU Sensor Array For 3D Colonoscope Shape Reconstruction and AI-Based Loop Detection. . 2026. PMID 42017436 · DOI · PMC13285112
- Niforopoulou P, Pantazopoulos I, Demestiha T, Koudouna E, Xanthos T. Video-laryngoscopes in the adult airway management: a topical review of the literature. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2010. PMID 20887406 · DOI
- ASGE Technology Committee, Wang A, Banerjee S, Barth BA, Bhat YM, Chauhan S, et al.. Wireless capsule endoscopy. Gastrointest Endosc. 2013. PMID 24119509 · DOI
- Aboumarzouk OM, Monga M, Kata SG, Traxer O, Somani BK. Flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy for stones >2 cm: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Endourol. 2012. PMID 22642568 · DOI
- Beilenhoff U, Biering H, Blum R, Brljak J, Cimbro M, Dumonceau JM, et al.. Reprocessing of flexible endoscopes and endoscopic accessories used in gastrointestinal endoscopy: Position Statement of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) and European Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (ESGENA) - Update 2018. Endoscopy. 2018. PMID 30458567 · DOI
- Rezapour M, Amadi C, Gerson LB. Retention associated with video capsule endoscopy: systematic review and meta-analysis. Gastrointest Endosc. 2017. PMID 28069475 · DOI
- Hansel J, Rogers AM, Lewis SR, Cook TM, Smith AF. Videolaryngoscopy versus direct laryngoscopy for adults undergoing tracheal intubation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022. PMID 35373840 · DOI · PMC8978307
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.