Colonoscopy

Adapted from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

What is a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy lets your doctor examine the lining of your large intestine (colon) for abnormalities by inserting a thin flexible tube, as thick as your finger, into your anus and slowly advancing it into the rectum and colon. This instrument, called a colonoscope, has its own lens and light source and it allows your doctor to view images on a video monitor.

Why is colonoscopy recommended?

Colonoscopy may be recommended as a screening test for colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Annually, approximately 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed in the United States and 50,000 people die from the disease. It has been estimated that increased awareness and screening would save at least 30,000 lives each year. Colonoscopy may also be recommended by your doctor to evaluate for symptoms such as bleeding and chronic diarrhea.

What preparations are required?

Colonoscopy Preparation for Procedures at Endoscopy Center of New York

• Colonoscopy 48-Hour Preparation Golytely at ECNY
• Colonoscopy 48-Hour Preparation Plenvu ECNY
• Colonoscopy 48-Hour Preparation Suprep ECNY
• Colonoscopy with Clenpiq & Magnesium Citrate at ECNY
• Colonoscopy with Clenpiq at ECNY
• Colonoscopy with either Clenpiq, Plenvu, or SuPrep at ECNY
• Colonoscopy with Golytely at ECNY
• Colonoscopy with Magnesium Citrate & Dulcolax at ECNY
• Colonoscopy with Miralax & Dulcolax at ECNY
• Colonoscopy with MoviPrep at ECNY
• Colonoscopy with Osmo at ECNY
• Colonoscopy with Plenvu & Magnesium Citrate at ECNY
• Colonoscopy with Plenvu at ECNY
• Colonoscopy with SuPrep & Magnesium Citrate at ECNY
• Colonoscopy with SuPrep at ECNY
• Colonoscopy with SuTab at ECNY
  

Colonoscopy Preparation for Procedures at Carnegie Hill Endoscopy

• Colonoscopy 48-Hour Preparation Golytely at CHE
• Colonoscopy with Clenpiq & Magnesium Citrate at CHE
• Colonoscopy with Clenpiq at CHE
• Colonoscopy with either Clenpiq, Plenvu, or SuPrep at CHE
• Colonoscopy with Golytely at CHE
• Colonoscopy with Magnesium Citrate & Dulcolax at CHE
• Colonoscopy with Miralax & Dulcolax at CHE
• Colonoscopy with MoviPrep at CHE
• Colonoscopy with Osmo at CHE
• Colonoscopy with Plenvu & Magnesium Citrate at CHE
• Colonoscopy with Plenvu at CHE
• Colonoscopy with SuPrep & Magnesium Citrate at CHE
• Colonoscopy with SuPrep at CHE
• Colonoscopy with SuTab at CHE

Your doctor will tell you what dietary restrictions to follow and what cleansing routine to use. In general, the preparation consists of limiting your diet to clear liquids the day before and consuming either a large volume of a special cleansing solution or special oral laxatives. The colon must be completely clean for the procedure to be accurate and comprehensive, so be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

Can I take my current medications?

Most medications can be continued as usual, but some medications can interfere with the preparation or the examination. Inform your doctor about medications you’re taking, particularly aspirin products, arthritis medications, anticoagulants (blood thinners such as warfarin or heparin), clopidogrel, insulin, or iron products. Also, be sure to mention allergies you have to medications.

What happens during a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is well-tolerated and rarely causes much pain. You will lie on your side in a comfortable position. An anesthesiologist will give medication before the procedure through an intravenous line to put you in a light sleep. When you are asleep, the doctor slowly advances a colonoscope along your large intestine to examine the lining. Your doctor will examine the lining again as he or she slowly withdraws the colonoscope. The procedure itself usually takes less than 45 minutes, although you should plan on two to three hours for waiting, preparation, and recovery.

What if the colonoscopy shows something abnormal?

If your doctor thinks an area needs further evaluation, he or she might pass an instrument through the colonoscope to obtain a biopsy (a small sample of the colon lining) to be analyzed. Biopsies are used to identify many conditions, and your doctor will often take a biopsy even if he or she doesn’t suspect cancer. If a colonoscopy is being performed to identify sites of bleeding, your doctor might control the bleeding through the colonoscope by injecting medications or by cauterization (sealing off bleeding vessels with heat treatment), or by use of small clips. Your doctor might also find polyps during a colonoscopy, and he or she will most likely remove them during the examination. These procedures don’t usually cause any pain.

What are polyps and why are they removed?

Polyps are abnormal growths in the colon lining that are usually benign (noncancerous). They vary in size from a tiny dot to several inches. Your doctor can’t always tell a benign polyp from a malignant (cancerous) polyp by its outer appearance, so he or she will usually remove polyps for analysis. Because cancer begins in polyps, removing them is an important means of preventing colorectal cancer.

How are polyps removed?

Your doctor may destroy tiny polyps by fulguration (burning) or by removing them with wire loops called snares or with biopsy instruments. Your doctor will use a technique called “snare polypectomy” to remove larger polyps. Your doctor will pass a wire loop through the colonoscope and remove the polyp from the intestinal wall using an electrical current. You should feel no pain during the polypectomy.

What happens after a colonoscopy?

You will be monitored until most of the effects of the sedatives have worn off. You might have some cramping or bloating because of the air introduced into the colon during the examination. This should disappear quickly when you pass gas. Your physician will explain the results of the examination to you, although you’ll probably have to wait for the results of any biopsies performed. If you have been given sedatives during the procedure, someone must drive you home and stay with you. Even if you feel alert after the procedure, your judgment and reflexes could be impaired for the rest of the day. You should be able to eat after the examination, but your doctor might restrict your diet and activities, especially after a polypectomy. Your doctor will advise you on this.

What are the possible complications of colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy and polypectomy are generally safe when performed by doctors who have been specially trained and are experienced in these procedures. One possible complication is a perforation, or tear, through the bowel wall that could require surgery. Bleeding might occur at the site of biopsy or polypectomy, but it’s usually minor. Bleeding can stop on its own or be controlled through the colonoscope; it rarely requires follow-up treatment. Some patients might have a reaction to the sedatives or complications from heart or lung disease. Although complications after colonoscopy are uncommon, it’s important to recognize early signs of possible complications. Contact your doctor if you notice severe abdominal pain, fever and chills, or rectal bleeding. Note that bleeding can occur several days after the procedure.