Colonoscopy and Endoscopy

Question 1

Define endoscopy.

Answer 1

“camera test”

Procedure in which a doctor inserts an endoscope through a small cut/opening such as mouth to view and operate on internal organs/vessel. An endoscope is a flexible tube with an attached camera that allows you to see inside.

Question 2

What are the indications for endoscopy?

Answer 2

• abnormal symptoms which need investigation
• need for biopsy
• repairing a stomach ulcer, removing gallstones, tumour.
• Endsocopy is often ordered for symptoms of the following:
  
  • IBD/UC/CD
  • peptic ulcer
  • chronic constipation
  • pancreatitis
  • gallstones
  • unexplained GI bleed
  • tumours
  • infections
  • problems with oesophagus
  • GORD
  • hiatus hernia
  • vaginal bleeding
  • blood in urine

Question 3

How do you prepare? What happens during the procedure?

Answer 3

Before

• You must fast for 6-8 hours before the procedure and 2 hours for fluids.
• May be given laxatives/enemas to use the night before
• May need to stop taking anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy

During

• May be given a throat spray to numb the area
• Likely will also be sedated through a cannula

After

• May need to stay in hospital for 2 hours until the sedation wears off

Question 4

What are the complications of endoscopy?

Answer 4

• Feeling tired after sedative
• Sore throat (upper GI)
• blood in urine (after cystoscopy)

Rare:

• Bleeding
• Perforation
• Fever, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, vomiting blood

Question 5

Name some different types of endoscopy.

Answer 5

• Arthroscopy - joints
• Bronchoscopy - lungs
• Colonoscopy - colon
• Cystoscopy - bladder
• Enteroscopy - small intestine
• Hysteroscopy - uterus
• Laparoscopy - abdomen or pelvis
• Laryngoscopy - larynx
• Mediastinoscopy - mediastinum
• Sigmoidoscopy - rectum and sigmoid colon
• Thoracoscopy/pleuroscopy - pleura
• OGD - oesophagus and upper GI tract
• ureteroscopy - ureter

Question 6

Define colonoscopy.

Answer 6

A colonoscopy is a test to assess your colon (large intestine). A colonoscope is a thin, flexible telescope inserted into the anus and colon and can be pushed as far as the caecum.

Sigmoidoscopy looks at the rectum and lower colon.

Question 7

Name 4 indications for colonoscopy.

Answer 7

• PR bleeding
• Abdominal pain
• Persistent diarrhoea or unexplained changes in bowel habit
• Unexplained reasons for weight loss

For conditions such as: UC, Crohn’s, diverticula, polyps, cancer.

Question 8

What are the complications of colonoscopy?

Answer 8

• Bleeding from biopsy site
• Feeling tired from sedative
• Tear in rectal wall/colon
• Infection
• Abdominal pain, fever, bleeding

Question 9

How do you prepare for a colonoscopy?

Answer 9

• Bowel prep - special diet for 48-72hrs before the procedure consisting of only fluids.
• Laxatives