Riverview Endoscopy
Riverview Endoscopy
Colonoscopy is a procedure used to examine or inspect the bowel and allows for a variety of interventions to be carried out through the colonoscope. These interventions may include taking small tissue samples (biopsies) and removal of polyps. An alternative method of examining the large bowel is barium enema. Colonoscopy has the advantage over barium enema of allowing tissue samples or biopsies to be taken.
How are you prepared? Prior to the colonoscopy you will need to collect the bowel preparation materials from your chemist (PICOPREP or PICOLAX and COLONLYTELY The day before the test you will not be able to eat any solid food. You will also need to take laxatives (PICOPREP or PICOLAX). The evening before, or the morning of, the procedure you will need to take COLONLYTELY which completely cleanses the colon. You must fast (no foods or fluids) completely for 3 hours before your admission time. (Please see over for complete instructions).
You should cease iron tablets and drugs to stop diarrhoea five days before the procedure. It is also desirable that you are not taking aspirin or N.S.A.I.D’s (arthritis tablets). If you are on these medications, you should discuss the matter with your doctor. You should also inform your doctor if you are taking blood thinning tablets, have heart valve disease or have a pacemaker implanted.
You should advise the nursing staff if you are sensitive (allergic) to any drug or other substance.
What do we do? The colonoscope is a long and highly flexible tube about the thickness of your index finger. It is inserted through the back passage (rectum) into the large intestine to allow inspection of the whole large bowel.
You are given a sedative through a vein in the arm before the procedure to make you more comfortable.
Safety and Risks. Colonoscopy is usually simple and safe. Most surveys report complications in only 1 in 1,000 examinations or less. These rare complications include bleeding and perforation of the bowel. Severe bleeding or perforation may require an operation.
Because cancer can develop from pre-existing polyps (benign wart-like growths), it is recommended that all polyps found at the time of colonoscopy be removed (polypectomy) by placing a wire snare around the base and applying an electric current. When interventions such as removal of polyps are carried out there is a slightly higher risk of perforation or bleeding from the site where the polyp has been removed.
Complications of sedation are uncommon. Rarely, however, in patients with severe heart or chest disease serious sedation reactions can occur. Patients with such problems must tell the doctor. Special precautions are taken to avoid complications including administering oxygen during the procedure and monitoring oxygen levels in the blood, and monitoring the pulse rate.
The colonoscope is a complex reusable instrument, which cannot go through a heat sterilisation process, however, after each use it is thoroughly cleaned and then disinfected, using a high level disinfectant. The hospital cleans and disinfects the colonoscope according to the standards set by the Gastroenterological Society of Australia. The possibility of infection being introduced during the procedure cannot be completely ruled out, but seems extremely rare. Occasionally the laxative preparations can cause clinically serious changes in salt and water concentrations in some people. Death is a remote possibility with any interventional procedure. If you wish to have full details of rare complications, you should indicate to your doctor before the procedure that you wish for all possible complications to be fully discussed.
Afterwards. The sedative pain-killer you are given before the procedure is very effective in reducing any discomfort. However, it may also affect your memory for some time afterwards. Even when the sedative appears to have worn off, you may find you are unable to recall details of your discussion with your doctor. For this reason a relative or friend should come with you if possible. You must not drive or operate machinery or make major decisions for 12 hours after the colonoscopy. You may have some wind pain after the pain killers wear off.
If you have any severe abdominal pain, bleeding from the back passage, fever, or other symptoms that cause you concern, you should contact the Hospital or your own Doctor.
Riverview Endoscopy
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Created 28 July 1997
Updated 30 January 2007