We understand our patients may feel uncertain about their procedures. We have put together some information that can help them understand the process.

What is a Colonoscopy?

A Colonoscopy is a procedure used to examine or inspect the bowel and may also include a variety of minor operations such as taking small tissue samples (biopsy) and removal of polyps.

  • Prior to the colonoscopy you will be provided with a preparation kit containing full instructions. See the Preparation Sheet regarding Picolax or Colonlytely and follow the instructions: If you have diabetes, please contact your doctor and discuss your medication prior to starting the preparation. If you have asthma, bring your inhalers in case you need to use them. Please bring all your medications with you.

    You will be given a sedative through a vein in the arm before the procedure to make you more comfortable and for this reason you should not drive after the procedure.

  • You should advise the nursing staff if you are sensitive (allergic) to any drug or other substance.

    You should cease iron tablets and drugs for diarrhoea at least three days

  • The colonoscope is a long and‚ highly flexible tube about the thickness of your index finger. It is inserted through the rectum into the large intestine‚ to allow inspection of the whole large bowel.

    A cancer of the large bowel arises from pre-existing polyps (a benign wart-like growth), it is usual practice to remove any polyps, which are found during the procedure. Most polyps can be removed by placing a wire snare around the base and applying an electric current.

  • For inspection of the bowel alone, complications of colonoscopy are extremely rare. If you have polyps removed there is a very small risk of bleeding from the bowel and perforation (creating a hole) in the bowel. Occasionally, these complications may require treatment by blood transfusion or by surgery. If you wish to have full details of all possible complications discussed, please contact your doctor.

  • The sedative and painkiller you are given before the procedure is very effective in reducing discomfort.

    However, it may 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 the Doctor. For this reason, you must have a relative or friend collect you from the unit and they must remain with you until the next day. You should not travel alone on public transport after the procedure.

    You must not operate machinery (including driving a car), sign any legally binding documents or carry out any demanding tasks for the remainder of the day.

    Some patients, especially those with irritable bowel or diverticular disease, notice some discomfort for a few days afterwards, which should-settle on simple measures such as Panadol and adequate fibre in the diet.

    If you have any severe abdominal, bleeding from the back passage, fever, or other symptoms that cause you concern, you should contact your Doctor immediately or go to an Emergency Department.

An alternative method of examining the large bowel is by a barium enema x-ray. Colonoscopy has the advantage over a barium enema x-ray of allowing tissue samples or biopsies to be taken.

What is a Endoscopy?

An Endoscopy involves the use of a flexible tube to examine the upper intestinal tract including the oesophagus, stomach and proximal duodenum.

The procedure is commonly undertaken if your doctor suspects that you have inflammation of the oesophagus (the pipe which connects the throat to the stomach), an ulcer, inflammation or other abnormality of the oesophagus, stomach or proximal duodenum.

  • You need to fast for six hours before the procedure (no food or drink). Whilst fasting, take all your regular medications with a sip of water. If you are a diabetic, the doctor will give you specific instructions.

  • If you have serious heart or chest problems, special precautions need to be taken to reduce any possible risks. You should therefore inform your doctor of any serious illness of this nature. The precautions taken will usually include providing oxygen during the procedure and/or monitoring the heart and oxygen levels during the procedure.

    At the beginning of the procedure your throat will be sprayed with a local anaesthetic and you will be given a sedative by injection in a vein to make you more comfortable.

  • An endoscope is a flexible tube about 9mm in diameter. It allows full colour inspection of the oesophageal, stomach and proximal duodenum. It also allows biopsies to be taken from the small bowel and other areas.

  • Gastrointestinal endoscopy is usually simple and safe. It is unlikely to cause problems for patients unless they have serious heart or chest problems.

    Extremely rarely, individual patients may have a reaction to the sedation or damage to the oesophagus at the time of the examination.

    Such complications are extremely rare; however, if you wish to have full details of all possible rare complications discussed before the procedure, you should inform your doctor.

  • The procedure will take about 15 minutes and you will be sleepy for about half an hour afterwards.

    The doctor will only give you a brief outline of the results of your investigation on the day of the test. Further details will be given when you return to see the doctor, or when you see your referring general practitioner or specialist for follow up.

    You should not operate machinery (including driving a car) or sign any legally binding documents, carry out any demanding tasks or drink alcohol for the remainder of the day. It is essential that you arrange for a responsible adult to pick you up after your procedure.

    If you have any severe abdominal pain, bleeding from the back passage, fever, or other symptoms that cause you concern, you should contact your doctor or attend an emergency department.