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This information is for patients who are having an
examination of the large bowel known as a
Colonoscopy. It explains what is involved, the
alternatives and any significant risks that there may
be.
Lakes DHB is a training centre for endoscopy and
as such it is responsible for training a wide range of
health professionals.
This means that students and trainees, supervised
by qualified staff, may be involved in your care. If
you do not want students and trainees to be
present, please inform the doctor or nurse when you
arrive.
The colonoscopy itself normally takes 20 to 40
minutes, but may take longer if any polyps
(projections of tissue rather like warts) are removed.
Once the procedure has been completed you will be
able to go home about 45 minutes later.
Occasionally, if there are emergency or complex
cases, the start of your procedure may be delayed
and you could be in the hospital for up to 4 hours.
What is a colonoscopy?
It is an examination, which allows the doctor to look
directly at the lining of the large intestine or colon
using a colonoscope. This is a flexible tube about
the thickness of the index finger. Sometimes a
sample of the lining of the bowel (a biopsy) is taken
for laboratory examination. If polyps are found, they
can be removed during the examination.
Why is a colonoscopy done?
The main reasons are to investigate


Bleeding from the bowel
Change in bowel habits
Preparation for a colonoscopy
When you have confirmed your appointment, more
information and bowel preparation will be sent to
you.
It is important that you read and follow the
instructions given. This will explain:
 How to prepare your bowel;
 When to stop eating;
 Medication you need to stop;
 What to do if you have diabetes.
For this examination to be successful and allow a
clear view of the colon, your bowel must be as
empty as possible. If the bowel is not sufficiently
empty, the whole procedure may have to be
cancelled and repeated on another occasion.
Before leaving home
 Please bring your glasses and hearing aids with
you, if worn.
 Make sure you have a list of any medications
you are currently taking.
It is especially
important to remember to bring with you any
asthma inhalers, angina sprays or diabetic
medication.
 Leave behind any valuables. The hospital takes
no responsibility for your belongings while you
are in the Unit.
On arrival at the hospital
At Rotorua: Please present to the Day Stay Unit
located on the second floor of the Clinical Services
Building.
At Taupo:
Please report to the Main Front
Reception Desk.
Before the examination
 A nurse will check your details, blood pressure,
pulse and allergies.
 The Endoscopist will explain the procedure and
ask you to sign a consent form. This confirms
that you understand the examination and agree
to go ahead with it. You may have already
signed a consent form in the clinic, if this is the
case you will not be asked to sign another form.
 You will need to change into a hospital gown.
 A nurse will be with you throughout the
examination.
What does the examination involve?
 A small device for recording pulse and oxygen
levels will be attached to your finger and you will
be given oxygen via your nose throughout the
procedure.
 A small needle will be inserted into a vein and a
sedative and painkiller given before the
examination. This will make you feel relaxed
and more comfortable.
 Then, while you are lying comfortably on your
left side, the Endoscopist will gently insert the
colonoscope into your back passage and pass it
around the large bowel.
 Air will be passed into the bowel to expand it so
the bowel lining can be seen more clearly.
 You may feel as if you want to go to the toilet,
but as the bowel is empty you do not need to
worry about it actually happening.
Any
remaining fluid in the bowel will be removed by
the colonoscope.
 A biopsy (a small sample of the lining of your
bowel) may be taken during the examination to
be sent to the laboratory for further tests. You
cannot feel this.
 Similarly, any polyps seen may be removed
during the examination, but you will not feel this
either.
 After careful examination of the lining of the
bowel, most of the air will be removed before
the procedure is complete.
After the examination
 You will return to the recovery area to rest for at
least 45 minutes.
 Once recovered, you may eat and drink as
normal.
 You may still have a little wind, this is natural.
Your bowels will return to normal function within
a few days following the procedure.
 The doctor/nurse will tell you the result of the
examination before you go home. Any biopsy
results can take up to 3 weeks.
 A letter will be sent to your GP / referring doctor.

After sedation, you may feel a little groggy and
so: You must have a responsible adult with
transport to collect you from the unit and
stay with you for at least 12 hours until you
are fully recovered.
THE DRUGS
ADMINISTERED DURING THE
PROCEDURE MAY IMPAIR YOUR JUDGEMENT,
FOR UP 24 HOURS AFTER THE PROCEDURE.
DURING THIS 24 HOURS YOU MUST NOT DRIVE
A VEHICLE, OPERATE MACHINERY, DRINK
ALCOHOL, OR SIGN IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
What are the risks of Colonoscopy?
The majority of colonoscopies are straightforward.
However as with any procedure, there is a small
chance of complications:
 A reaction to the sedative: The sedative can
affect your breathing making it more slow and
shallow. You must not drive, drink alcohol,
operate machinery or sign important documents
for 24 hours following the sedative.
 Perforation: A perforation is a small hole in the
bowel that enables the germs within your colon,
where they cannot harm you, to enter your body
where they can. When polyps have been
removed the risk of causing a perforation may
occur in 1 in 500 cases. When polyps have not
been removed, there is less than 1 in 1000
chance of causing a perforation. If a perforation
occurred as a result of your treatment, it may
involve
hospital
admission,
intravenous
antibiotics, and an operation to repair the hole.
 Bleeding: When polyps are removed, there is
a small risk of bleeding, approximately 1 in
every 150 cases. Bleeding often settles without
treatment, but if it continues it may be
necessary to return to the hospital for reassessment.
 You should also be aware that this examination
is not perfect and even with a skilled
Endoscopist some abnormalities may be
missed.
Are there any alternatives?
For some conditions, it may be possible to perform
CT colonography.
The disadvantages of this
procedure is that a biopsy cannot be taken or a
polyp removed.
Important information following your procedure:
If you develop any severe abdominal pain within 24
hours or develop any significant and continuous
rectal bleeding for up to 2 weeks following the
procedure, please phone:
Emergency Department – Rotorua Hospital
Ph (07) 348 1199, or
Emergency Department – Taupo Hospital
Ph (07) 376 1000
Inform them you have recently had a colonoscopy
and describe the symptoms that you have.
Document Number: 67772
Colonoscopy
Patient Information
November 2012
Name: ………………………………………..
Hospital No: ………………………………….
Your appointment is on:
Day: ………………. Date:……………………
Admission Time:…………………….………
When you have read this leaflet please contact us
at Rotorua (07) 343-7742 or Taupo (07) 376 1000 to
confirm your appointment. If you are unable to
attend, we can give your appointment to another
patient and arrange an alternative time for you.
If you do not confirm 10 days prior to your
appointment date your admission will be
cancelled.