Information on the colonoscopy procedure and preparation
General information on colonoscopy
A colonoscopy (also known as colonoscopy, colonoscopy, colonoscopy of the bowel) is a procedure that uses a flexible instrument called an endoscope to examine the rectum, colon and small bowel to large bowel transition.
The procedure allows not only diagnostics but also sampling and, where appropriate, minor procedures (such as polyp removal).
For maximum painlessness, our practice also offers colonoscopy under anaesthesia and anaesthesia.
After the anaesthesia and sedation tests, the patient is kept under observation in the office for one hour, after which he/she can only go home with an escort.
You are not allowed to drive a car or work that day.
A fresh laboratory test is only necessary before the procedure if the patient has other medical conditions, and the doctor will inform the patient of this at the pre-colonoscopy consultation.
Read more about colonoscopy, its purpose, risks and other useful information here.
You must not eat
-
vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers), because the skin is difficult to peel.
-
green vegetable stew (spinach, sorrel), fruit-flavoured tea, because it can stain your intestinal wall.
-
other bloating stews (kohlrabi, kale, peas, beans).
-
small seeded foods (poppy, grapes, raspberries, strawberries, kiwis, etc.), because the apo seeds are difficult to excrete.
-
seeded bread, muesli, cereals
-
fibrous fruits (tangerines, oranges), because the fibre is difficult to excrete.
The day before the test, avoid solid food and make sure you drink plenty of fluids.
We recommend non-carbonated mineral water, weak tea, clear fruit juice (but avoid fibre-rich fruit and vegetable juices and dairy drinks).
12 hours before the test, drink the first sachet of laxative your doctor has prescribed (for example, a solution of PICOPREP®).
Drink the second sachet of PICOPREP® solution 6 hours before the test.
Allow at least 12 hours and no more than 24 hours between the test and the first sachet of laxative.
A minimum of 6 hours should elapse between the test and the second dose.
Drink 1.5-2 litres of fluid after taking both laxatives.
How do you use laxatives?
Use the laxative prescribed by your doctor according to the instructions or as directed by your doctor.
As an example, the use of PICOPREP® laxative is described.
A total of 2 sachets of PICOPREP® are required for the preparation.
PICOPREP® has a pleasant orange taste and is easy to consume.
1. Pour 150 ml (1 glass) of cold water into a mug.
2.
Mix the contents of the 1. sachet of PICOPREP® (white orange-scented crystalline powder) in the water.
3. Stir for 2-3 minutes while the powder dissolves completely in the water.
The solution can be warmed – wait until it cools before drinking.
4. After drinking the solution, drink 250 ml (1 cup) of clear, transparent liquid every hour.
This can be apple juice, water, tea, fibre-free clear fruit juice, carbonated clear soft drinks, broth, clear soup.
The more you drink, the easier it will be to do the test.
5. 6 hours before 1.
6 hours after the first dose, prepare the solution from the second sachet in the same way as the first.
6. Drink it, and then remember to drink 250ml (1 cup) of clear liquid every hour for a successful test.
If you forget to drink your hourly fluid intake, make up for it as soon as possible!
A total of 3-4 litres of fluid should be consumed during the preparation.
After you have drunk your first dose of PICOPREP®, stay away from toilets as the medicine may take 1-3 hours to take effect.
How is the test done?
During the test, the patient lies on his or her left side with the legs raised.
During the examination, the patient may be asked by the doctor, with the assistance of an assistant, to turn onto his/her back, possibly onto his/her right side, and rarely onto his/her stomach.
The device is lubricated with a sliding gel and then gently guided into the rectum.
The test can take 10-40 minutes.
During the test, the patient may experience a bowel movement provoked by the device, abdominal distention due to the air blown in, abdominal cramps, abdominal pain due to the tension of the peritoneal plates covering the intestines.
These complaints are more frequent in patients who have had abdominal surgery to remove adhesions.
In our practice, we also perform colonoscopy under anaesthesia and sedation to reduce pain.
Immediately after the test is completed, the patient will receive a report.
If a histological sample has been taken, the results are expected in 1-2 weeks.
