What is a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is an endoscopic procedure in which a thin tube of the size of your index finger is passed into the lower bowels including the rectum through the anal opening as a diagnostic procedure or as a therapeutic option. In any event, the bowels need preparation before doing the procedure as fecal matter can obstruct the view of the colonoscopy and therefore make the procedure worthless.
The colonoscopy will allow the clinician to visualize the path on which it travels in a television screen and would allow him or her to introduce certain instruments to perform minimally invasive procedures such as taking a biopsy or removing a small polyp…etc through the same tube. It hardly gives rise to complications and does not require the patient to be in a hospital setting following the procedure unless an intervention is done which can lead to complications in the immediate post colonoscopy period.
What are the indications to perform a colonoscopy?
In clinical practice, the colonoscopy is indicated in instances where there is a sound justification to suspect a large bowel abnormality both in structure or in function or in instances where large bowel and the related structures need to be evaluated or screened with regard to certain conditions, or as a routine follow-up process. But, following is a more specific list of indications to use colonoscopy in susceptible individuals.
-When a suspicion of malignancy of large bowel is raised due to abnormal rectal bleeding or in instances of altered bowel habits.
-Presence of altered bowel habits for a prolonged period such as for several months.
-As follow-up procedure in patient who have undergone polypectomy or large bowel surgery as in the case of colorectal cancer.
-Part of the investigative process for chronic anemia.
-For evaluation purposes in ulcerative colitis patients as well as in patients with crohnes disease.
-Part of evaluation process in lower abdominal pain persisting for several months when there are no other possible explanations.
-Persistent diarrhea without any other manifestations.
-For further investigations following positive findings at barium enema.
-In unexplained weight loss
-As a pre-operative procedure.
Although these are the commonest indications in clinical practice to perform a colonoscopy there can be many other indications according to the presenting features, other investigative findings as well as through clinical judgment of experienced clinicians. But, when a colonoscopy procedure is recommended for you, it is a good idea to discuss the procedure and what is expected as the outcome of the procedure with your health care provider to be more comfortable with the process.
