COLONOSCOPY
GENERAL INFORMATION
A colonoscopy is a procedure in which the inside of
the entire colon can be looked at with an instrument
called a colonoscope. Also, if something abnormal is
seen, a small piece of it (a biopsy) can be taken
for examination in the pathology laboratory.
THE COLONOSCOPE
The colonoscope is a smooth, flexible, optical
instrument about as thick as the tip of your little
finger. It has lenses in it as well as a light at
its tip that lets the doctor see what is ahead. Some
instruments allow the doctor to look through. Other
instruments reflect the image on a television
monitor.
The colonoscope has several small tunnels in it. One
tunnel is used to suck out any mucus that might be
in the way. Another tunnel is used to pass a very
thin wire with a biting tip at its end that can be
used to take a biopsy.
The colonoscope is three feet long so that it can be
passed up to the very beginning of the large bowel.
The end held by the operator has a knob and several
buttons that are used to steer the tip of the
colonoscope as it is passed up the colon. The
buttons are used to control the suction and other
functions.
PREPARATION FOR THE COLONOSCOPY
The bowel must be cleansed of all stool so that the
lining can be clearly seen. You will be instructed
by the doctor how to clean your bowel.
THE COLONOSCOPY PROCEDURE
- A needle will be put into your arm for either an
injection or an infusion. This will make you drowsy.
The colonoscope will be lubricated thoroughly and
inserted gently through the anus and into the colon.
You will be vaguely aware of what is happening, or
you may simply doze off. The instrument will be
advanced through the entire colon for a thorough
examination.
- You will be able to hear and co-operate with the
doctor as you are asked to change your position, but
you will not be too aware of what is happening.
- When the procedure is completed, the relaxing
medicine will be stopped and within a few minutes
you will be fully awake.
- The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes. Many
patients remember so little of the procedure they
think it took just a few minutes, or they may not
remember anything at all about it.
- Your blood pressure, pulse and breathing will be
watched until they are stable. When you are
completely alert, you should be able to go home with
a responsible adult. You may not drive yourself or
work for the rest of the day.
COMPLICATIONS
- Complications are infrequent after a colonoscopy.
It is important however for you to remember the
following.
- It may not be possible to pass the colonoscope all
the way through the large bowel. Your doctor may
decide to follow this up with a barium enema.
- Very rarely the colonoscope may perforate the
large bowel. In the unlikely event that this
happens, you will have to have a laparotomy to have
this perforation repaired.
- If a biopsy is done or a polyp is removed, very
infrequently there may be a large bleed. Your doctor
will decide how best to manage this.
pil-colonoscopy.doc/ver2/10 January 2002 |
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