General Information
Colonoscopy, which is offered at the Centre for Digestive Diseases, enables the gastroenterologist to use an endoscope to examine the large intestine (colon). The endoscope is a long thin flexible tube equipped with a miniature video camera and fibre optic lighting at its tip. Images are seen on a monitor and are recorded for later study, confirmation and comparison if required. During the Colonoscopy, the gastroenterologist is able to take specimens or tissue samples (biopsies) for histopathological testing or remove polyps from the bowel.
Appropriate patient preparation and monitoring of the patient’s well-being before, during and after the procedure by dedicated medical personnel and skilled assistants ensures that sedated endoscopic examinations can be carried out safely at the Centre for Digestive Diseases.
Indications
Colonoscopy may be recommended by your doctor to investigate or confirm conditions such as:
- Rectal bleeding
- Colonic polyps
- Diverticulosis and diverticulitis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis
- Other types of colitis
- Colon cancer
Special Considerations
- If you are a diabetic or epileptic, please highlight this on your Patient Medical History Form, which can be downloaded from the following link: https://centrefordigestivediseases.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CDD-Forms-Web1.zip. You will be contacted 2 working days prior to the procedure by the Nursing Staff at the Centre and given specific instructions on preparation.
- If you take blood thinning medications please ask your GP or prescribing doctor whether it is safe for you to stop these medications 7 days before your procedure date. If you cannot stop these medications safely, please ensure your paperwork is received 2 weeks in advance of your procedure date and you have highlight this information on your Patient Medical History Form, which can be downloaded from the following link: https://centrefordigestivediseases.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CDD-Forms-Web1.zip
Sedation
These procedures do not require a general anaesthetic. Instead, the Sedationist will administer intravenous sedation via a small needle through a vein at the back of the hand or in the arm. The injection is usually not painful.
Preparation
It is essential that the Gastroenterologist is able to have good visibility of the bowel during a Colonoscopy. This means that you will need to prepare for the procedure by taking bowel preparation and fasting for a minimum of 4 hours prior to your procedure.
We recommend Moviprep as the bowel preparation prior to a colonoscopy. Moviprep can be purchased from any Chemist of from CDD without a script. Please follow this link to the Instructions for Taking Moviprep as an Out-Patient Information Booklet for important information on how to prepare for your Colonoscopy: https://centrefordigestivediseases.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/English-amended.pdf
Post Procedure Care
Please note the following important points after you have your procedures:
- You should not drive or operate heavy machinery for 12 hours following sedation.
- Avoid alcohol for 12 hours following your procedures.
- Please advise the person picking you up that we prefer that somebody is with you when you are given the results of your procedures.
- When you go home, we recommend that a friend or relative stay with you so that you are not alone after sedation. Following sedation, you may experience lightheadedness and may have a higher risk of falls.
Unless otherwise instructed by your gastroenterologist, after your procedures:
- You can resume your normal diet and medications immediately.
- You can return to work the next day.
- You may experience temporary discomfort or bloat for up to 24 hours as air may remain in the stomach or bowel. This will usually resolve without intervention but may be helped by drinking warm fluids, massaging the stomach and passing wind.
Complications
These procedures are considered safe but complications or side effects may occur.
The intravenous injection given for sedation may cause a local reaction or bruising under the skin, but is usually not painful and should not cause permanent damage.
After having a Colonoscopy, some patients may experience temporary discomfort or pain due to the introduction of air into the bowel. This will usually resolve without intervention in the days following the procedures.
Rarely, major complications can occur. Potential major complications include: perforation (or puncture) of the large bowel, haemorrhage (or bleeding) following removal of polyps, infection, or cardiac or respiratory arrest related to sedation/anaesthesia.
Major complications are rare and the staff at CDD are all well trained to deal with emergency situations. If you wish to discuss the potential risks or any issues regarding your procedure(s) in more detail, please speak with the gastroenterologist.
Contact Details
Please see the following link for CDD contact details during office hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (7am – 5pm ) and Wednesday (8.30am – 1.30pm): https://centrefordigestivediseases.com/contact-us/. As the Centre is a Day Stay Unit only, if complications following procedure arise outside of business hours you should seek medical attention from either your GP or nearest hospital emergency department.
