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- When you print this information it is important that you choose the morning or afternoon preparation depending on the time of the procedure.
- After you have printed off the sheets under "afternoon" or "morning" as appointments you should also print off "general", "tips", "safety" and "questionnaire" to complete your handout.
- PLEASE USE THE "PRINTER FRIENDLY" BUTTON TO GET A PRINTABLE PAGE.
- You should read all these forms carefully. If there is any confusion you should ring my rooms at 55913155.
What is "Colonoscopy"?
Colonoscopy is a procedure which allows me to examine the inside of your large
bowel. Unlike X-rays which take “photographs” colonoscopy lets me see the surfaces
inside your bowel directly and can provide more detail and accuracy than an
X-ray. In certain cases treatment is possible thereby avoiding an operation.
It allows for a variety of operations to be carried out through the colonoscope.
These operations may include taking small tissue samples (biopsy) and removal
of polyps. An alternative method of examining the large bowel is barium enema.
Colonoscopy has the advantage over the barium enema in allowing tissue samples
or biopsies to be taken, removal of polyps, and more accurate assessment of
your bowel lining
How are you prepared ?
For two days before the procedure you will need to follow a low residue diet. This
will enable you to clean out your bowel more easily. You will use a preperation
kit to clean out your bowel following the instructions you have been given.
You will be given a sedative through a vein in the arm before the procedure
to make you sleepy and comfortable. You will have no memory of the procedure.
Special Considerations
- Please tell us of any allergies.
- We should be told if you are on any of the following:
- 1. Blood thinning medication: Aspirin, Plavix, Iscover or Warfarin.
Arrangements will be made regarding
any neccessary coverage during the procedure.
- 2. Any therapy for Diabetes.
- We should know if you have any heart valve abnormalities
or have a pacemaker
- Female patients
must inform us of any possibilty of pregnancy.
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 anus into the large intestine
to allow inspection of the whole large bowel. As cancer of the large
bowel arises from pre-existing polyps (a benign wart-like growth), it is advisable
that if any polyps are found they should be removed at the time of examination.
Most polyps can be burnt off (Polypectomy) by placing a wire snare around
the base and applying an electric current to cut through the base or stalk
of the polyp.
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