Colonoscopy

What is a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is a procedure used to see inside the large bowel (colon).  This allows direct inspection of the lining of the bowel and gives important information about the possible cause of your symptoms and help to determine the best treatment.  It is possible during the procedure to obtain small samples of tissue for examination under a microscope or to remove pieces of abnormal bowel tissue.

Preparation for colonoscopy

In order to perform a colonoscopy the bowel needs to be empty.  This is achieved by using a preparation to clean the bowel.  The choice of bowel preparation will depend on your age, general physical condition and other medical illnesses.  Detailed instructions will accompany this information sheet which explains the preparation you are required to take.

Please note

If you are taking iron tablets cease these five days before your colonoscopy.  Please ensure the doctor has a full list of your current medications and is aware of all your other medical problems.  Special arrangements are needed for people with diabetes, heart murmurs or artificial heart valves or taking Warfarin.

How is colonoscopy performed?

You will be given a sedative through a vein in the arm just prior to the procedure to make you more comfortable and slightly drowsy.  The medication may result in you having little or no memory of the test. 
The colonoscope is a long and highly flexible tube about the thickness of the index finger. It is inserted through the anus and then gently manoeuvred along the large bowel (colon).  The procedure takes about 30 minutes.

Additional procedures

As cancer of the large bowel arises from pre-existing polyps (a benign wart-like growth), it is usual practice to remove any polyps which are found during the procedure.  Most polyps can be removed by placing a wire loop around the base of the polyp and applying an electric current to snare off the polyp (polypectomy).

Safety/Risks

Whilst colonoscopy is the most accurate test for detecting bowel cancer, occasionally small lesions are not detected.  Serious complications of colonoscopy are uncommon, occurring in about 1 in 1000 examinations.  Complications which can occur include an intolerance of the bowel preparation solution or a reaction to the sedative used.  The more serious complications include major bleeding or perforation in the bowel, and are generally more common following removal of polyps.  Occasionally, these complications may require treatment by blood transfusion or surgery.

Afterwards

You will be taken to the recovery area to rest until the effects of the sedative have disappeared.  This will generally take 1 - 2 hours.  However, you must not drive a car, sign important legal documents or work with dangerous machinery for 24 hours after the procedure.  If you have severe abdominal pain, fever, bleeding or other new symptoms after the procedure then you should mention this immediately to the staff in recovery.  It is also possible that these symptoms might develop a few days after the procedure and if this is the case then you should contact your doctor immediately for advice.

When you are fully awake, you will be informed of the results of the test.

Click here to know more about Morning Colonoscopy - Picoprep.

Click here to know more about Afternoon Colonoscopy - Picoprep.

Click here to know more about Morning Colonoscopy - Colonlytely.

Click here to know more about Afternoon Colonoscopy - Colonlytely.

You will need the Adobe Reader to view and print the above documents.