Colonoscopy
- What is a colonoscopy?
- Preparatory consultation
- Preparing for the examination
- The examination
- After the examination
- Safety and risks
What is a colonoscopy?
With a colonoscopy, the doctor examines the interior of the colon or large intestine using a colonoscope, a thin flexible tube with a camera, which is inserted via the anus. The doctor performs a colonoscopy to detect the following abnormalities:
- Intestinal polyps
- Intestinal cancer
- Chronic inflammations
- Other abnormalities
The examination can also be performed to seek the cause of:
- Persistent diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Blood loss
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- etc.
Preparatory consultation
Before the examination is performed, you make an appointment with the gastroenterologist. During this consultation, the doctor discusses the reason for the examination with you, the medication you take and your prior medical history.
This consultation can take place in the hospital or via teleconsultation. With a teleconsultation, you are given a date when the doctor will contact you by telephone. In that case, you do not have to come to the hospital.
Preparing for the examination
- Inform your doctor about any medication you are taking.
- It is important to prepare correctly for the examination so that it can be performed in the best possible circumstances. The preparation begins by following a specific diet. The doctor or nurse will explain this is in more detail.
- The examination is performed in the morning or in the afternoon. Depending on whether it is the morning or afternoon, you have to follow the next stage of the preparation on the basis of a one-day or a two-day plan. Your doctor will tell you about this.
The examination
- The examination takes an average of 30 minutes and is carried out in an endoscopy room.
- The doctor will ask you to lie down on your left side. You are then given a sedative. The colonoscopy can be performed under light sedation. This will not make you fall asleep completely, but you are given a drug that acts as a slight tranquilliser and painkiller. The colonoscopy can also be performed under deeper sedation, when you are fully asleep. The doctor will, of course, discuss this with your beforehand.
- The doctor examines the interior of the colon or large intestine using a colonoscope which is inserted via the anus.
- During the examination, the doctor may ask the nurse to press on the abdomen so that the examination goes more smoothly.
- You may experience a slightly bloated feeling or cramps during the colonoscopy and for a short time afterwards.
After the examination
Once the doctor has discussed the result of the examination with you and authorised your discharge, you may leave the hospital.
Your reflexes may still be slow due to the drugs you have been given. Consequently, you may only leave the hospital if you are accompanied by another person and you may not drive a vehicle for the rest of the day.
Safety and risks
A colonoscopy is a very safe examination. The combination of examination and treatment can, however, increase the risk of complications somewhat. If complications do arise, the treating doctor is usually able to take appropriate action straight away.
- The doctor can usually stop bleeding after the removal of polyps or following a biopsy immediately, so the patient rarely experiences any consequences. In rare cases, bleeding may occur later on (one or several days after the examination). If you lose a lot of blood, you should contact the Gastroenterology service or the Accident & Emergency department immediately.
- A perforation (tear) in the wall of the intestine is extremely rare and can usually be repaired during the examination. Surgery may be required in exceptional cases.
- The risk of infection is almost non-existent these days. The colonoscope is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before every use, in accordance with scientific standards required internationally.