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What is a Colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is the endoscopic examination of the large colon and the distal part of the small bowel with a CCD camera on a flexible tube passed through the anus. In most cases, the endoscope is advanced to the caecum (end of colon) in under 10 minutes.
It provides a visual diagnosis (e.g. ulceration, polyps) and grants the opportunity for biopsy or removal of suspected lesions such as cancer. Colonoscopy can remove small polyps safely. Once polyps are removed, they can be sent for histology to determine if they are precancerous or not.
Indications for colonoscopy include gastrointestinal hemorrhage, unexplained changes in bowel habit or suspicion of malignancy. Colonoscopies are used to diagnose colon cancer and other pathologies like inflammatory and ischemic bowel disease.
Due to the high mortality associated with colon cancer and the high effectivity and low risks associated with colonoscopy, it is now also becoming a routine screening test for people 50 years of age or older.
This procedure is usually done under sedation with minimal discomfort. There is occasional pain when junctions are negotiated. There is also occasional abdominal distension after the procedure; this is due to air insufflation.
In experienced hands, morbidity is low and is about one in three thousand procedures.
Why is there a need for a colonoscopy?
Some of the possible symptoms and indications that may require a colonoscopy to be performed are:
• Rectal bleeding
• Mucus per rectum
• Change in bowel habit (constipation or diarrhea)
• Unexplained abdominal symptoms
• Patients who test positive for blood in the stools
• Verifying or to remove biopsy polyps located by barium enema examination
• Personal history of colonic polyps or cancer
• Family history of colorectal cancer or familial colorectal polyposis
What are the benefits of colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is the most accurate examination in detecting polyps or early cancers in the colon. Removal of benign polyps is a major step towards the prevention of colon and rectal cancer.
What are the risks of a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is a very safe procedure with less than 0.01% risk of perforation to the wall of the colon in our hands.
The procedure
A clean colon is essential for this procedure. This will increase both the accuracy and safety of the procedure and also shorten the time needed for the examination.
The entire procedure usually takes about 10-30mins. This procedure is usually well tolerated and rarely causes much pain. There may be a feeling of pressure, bloating or cramping at various times during the procedure. A mild sedation may be given if the patient is unable to tolerate this feeling. Following the colonoscopy, there may be slight abdominal distension which quickly improves with the expelling of gas. Most patients can resume their normal diet immediately after the procedure.
After the procedure
You will be able to return home and to drive immediately following colonoscopy if no sedation was given to you. If sedation was given, you will have to be accompanied home.
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General Knowledge & Education