Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy procedure involves the evaluation of the large intestine and, when needed, the last part of small intestine. It is required for the early diagnosis of colon cancer and diagnosis of patients with chronic diarrhea. Furthermore, polyps which leas to cancer are removed, certain types of bleeding are ligated and narrowing in the colon is enlarged by means of balloon or stent (tube) insertion in order to ensure defecation by normal means.

Considerations before colonoscopy;

• • A complete cleansing of the intestines is required for a healthy and adequate procedure. Therefore, pulpless diet to be recommended should be strictly followed for 3 days and laxative medication should be used as prescribed one night before. You should not eat or drink anything after 12:00 before the procedure, yet you can have blood pressure or heart medication with a small amount of water. Patients with diabetes should bring along their medication or insulin of morning dose with their meal in order to have these with breakfast after colonoscopy.

• • The patient is given enema once or twice for colon cleansing upon arrival at the gastroenterology outpatient clinic with an empty stomach at 10:00 for the procedure. The procedure lasts approximately 45 minutes. As intravenous sedation is applied during the procedure, patients mostly cannot remember the procedure.

Colonoscopy reports can be received from the outpatient secretariat as of 15:00 in the following day.