Colonoscopy is an examination procedure to detect sores, irritation, polyps or cancerin the large intestine and rectum, which is the lowermost part of the large intestine that connects to the anus. This procedure is done by first giving an anesthetic to the patient.
Colonoscopy is performed using a colonoscope, which is a flexible tube with a diameter of approximately 1.5 cm. This hose is equipped with a camera at the end. The camera functions to send images to a monitor, so the doctor can see if there are abnormal conditions in the colon.
If needed, the doctor will take a tissue sample (biopsy) from the colon during a colonoscopy.
Colonoscopy Indications
Doctors usually recommend a colonoscopy procedure in the following conditions:
- Detect colon cancer, especially in people aged 50 years and over and people who are at risk of developing colon cancer
- Investigating the causes of bloody bowel movements, chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other complaints related to the intestines
- Detect and excise colon polyps, while lowering the risk of colon cancer
- Stop bleeding if there is bleeding in the large intestine
Precautions Before Undergoing Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy during pregnancy should be avoided because it can trigger a miscarriage. Colonoscopy is also not recommended in patients with megacolon and patients with inflammatory bowel disease with severe injuries because it can increase the risk of intestinal tearing.
Before Colonoscopy
In order for a colonoscopy examination to run smoothly, there are several things that must be prepared, namely:
Ensuring the condition of the intestines is clean
Before a colonoscopy is performed, the intestine must be free of feces (stool), so that the intestine can be seen clearly and clearly on examination. For that, the doctor will ask you to do the following to clean the intestines before undergoing a colonoscopy:
- Taking laxatives at night before the colonoscopy and in the morning before the colonoscopy
- Follow a special diet by eating only soft foods and drinking water the day before the colonoscopy
- Fasting after midnight on the day of the colonoscopy
- Stop or reduce the dose of any medications you are currently taking, including supplements and vitamins, at least 1 week before the colonoscopy
Make sure someone delivers
Another thing that must be prepared is to make sure that there are family or relatives who accompany and accompany you when undergoing a colonoscopy. This is because you will be under anesthesia for up to 24 hours after the colonoscopy, making it unsafe to drive alone.
Colonoscopy Procedures and Procedures
Before running a colonoscopy, the doctor will give you an anesthetic first. In some cases, anesthesia can be combined with pain medication to reduce any discomfort that may occur during the procedure.
Next, the doctor will perform a colonoscopy, the steps are as follows:
- The patient is laid with the position facing the side and the knees raised to the chest.
- The doctor inserts a colonoscope or flexible tube equipped with a camera into the patient's rectum and pushes it into the large intestine. During this stage, the camera will send images to a monitor, where the doctor can see the condition of the colon.
- Once the tip of the colonoscope reaches the large intestine, air is blown through the tube so that the patient's intestines expand and the bowel wall is clearly visible on the monitor. At this stage, the patient will feel a slight cramp, but it can be relieved by taking a deep breath.
- Once the tip of the colonoscope reaches the small bowel opening, the colonoscope is slowly withdrawn while examining the large intestine one more time.
- If needed, the doctor may insert a special instrument through the colonoscope to take a sample of tissue from the intestine (biopsy), remove polyps, or remove abnormal tissue from the intestine.
- The entire colonoscopy procedure lasts 30-60 minutes.
If the image quality at the time of the colonoscopy is judged to be less clear, the doctor can repeat the colonoscopy. Meanwhile, if there are parts of the intestine that are not reached by the colonoscope, the doctor will perform an X-ray examination with the help of barium fluid (virtual colonoscopy).
After Colonoscopy
After the colonoscopy procedure, the patient must remain in the treatment room for 1–2 hours or until the anesthetic wears off. The patient will feel bloated and a little cramped in the stomach, but these complaints will subside on their own.
Colonoscopy results are negative if the doctor does not find any abnormal conditions at the time of the procedure. However, the doctor will advise the patient to undergo a colonoscopy again in the next 5-10 years if the patient is at risk of developing bowel cancer.
On the other hand, a colonoscopy is positive if the doctor finds polyps or abnormal tissue in the intestines. In such conditions, the doctor will examine the tissue sample in the laboratory.
Your doctor may suggest a repeat colonoscopy sooner in the following conditions:
- There is residual stool in the intestine, thus blocking the camera view during colonoscopy
- Found more than 1 polyp or polyps suspected of being at risk of developing into cancer
- Polyp diameter is more than 1 cm
- Polyps are cancerous
Other things to pay attention to after undergoing this procedure are:
- Do not drive and do not engage in activities that require alertness until one day after the colonoscopy
- Consult a doctor regarding the right time to return to taking drugs that have been temporarily discontinued
- Follow your normal diet after a colonoscopy, unless your doctor advises otherwise
If a colonoscopy is followed by removal of polyps or a biopsy, for 1-2 days there may be light bleeding from the rectum, but this is normal.
Colonoscopy Complications and Side Effects
In general, colonoscopy is a safe procedure. However, in rare cases, colonoscopy can cause the following complications:
- Bleeding
- Severe stomach pain
- Allergic reactions and side effects from anesthetics
- Perforation or tear in the wall of the large intestine