Total Colonoscopy

¿What is it? It is an internal examination of all the internal coating (mucous) of all the extension of the large intestine (colon) by inserting an optical device (a small camera) located on a flexible tubular element called videocolonoscopy that goes through the anus. Different from the Rectosigmoidoscopy, which only examines the distal and inferior part of the colon, (lower third of the colon) the Colonoscopy, examines the entire length of the colon.

¿How it is done?
The person lies down on the left side with their knees bent towards their thorax. After administering Conscientious Sedation, the colonoscope is inserted through the anus and gently advances, crossing all the segments of the large intestine until its proximal portion of the cecum. A moderate amount of air is introduced through the colonoscope in order to better visualize the intestinal mucosa and also, the suction can be used to remove liquids or fecal secretions.

The examination is performed very carefully because the colon has many curves that can hide injuries, from there as much in the insertion but specially when taking out the colonoscope, the evaluation of the colon is done in detail. If it is indicated, samples will be taken from the tissue (biopsies) with small special clamps for tissue analysis with the microscope by our Pathologist. Eventually, the polyps will be able to be removed by a metallic ansa through electrocauterization and there is the possibility of performing other therapeutic procedures.
 

¿What preparation is required?
The preparation for the Colonoscopy is a little more demanding as far as cleaning as opposed to the Rectosigmoidoscopy, because it has to ensure that there is no fecal matter throughout the extension of the colon, because its presence can force an interruption and leave the examination incomplete. The preparation guidelines are very similar. The day, in which the appointment is made, the preparation will be explained to you, which consists of taking laxatives that will completely clean your intestine of fecal matter. These laxatives have to be taken approximately 12 hours before the procedure. The type of laxative to digest is different, if the patient is older than 55 years of age.
All the information will be provided through our Customer Service line and the patient must inform regarding the presence of heart, lung or kidney diseases and if some special medication is taken.
The warnings on medicines are the same ones mentioned above in "High Digestive Endoscopy" (see above).
The patient will have to sign an Informed Consent with the same characteristics shown in "High Digestive Endoscopy" (see above).
 

¿What do you feel during the examination?
To all of our patients who have a Total Colonoscopy, we administer Conscientious Sedation to them so that they won´t feel pain, cramping, abdominal distension and the urgency to defecate that appears when the examination is done while the patient is awake. Usually, a rectal tact is done before the examination to detect any diseases in the anus and distal rectum as well as to make sure that the preparation of the colon is suitable.

With the movement of colonoscope on the inside it is probable that the person experiences a pressured sensation and that with air being inserted or as the colonoscope advances the patient experiences brief cramps and pain due to the gas, that we will improve with sedation and the air suction.

Discomfort can be lessened by slowly and deeply breathing, which also helps to relax the abdominal muscles. It is possible that after the examination, mild abdominal cramping can appear, but will improve with the passing of gas through the anus. The effect of the sedative medicines have to disappear within a few hours and, due to this sedation, it is probable that the person will not feel any discomfort and will not have memories of the examination.
 

¿Why do a Total Colonoscopy? ?
This examination allows you:
• To obtain small tissue samples for a biopsy
• To evaluate an unexplainable anemia
• To evaluate the unexplainable presence of blood in the feces, abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea or abnormalities, such as polyps found in contrast x-ray (barium enema)
• To determine the type and extent of inflammatory intestinal disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn´s disease)
• Follow up on previous findings of polyps, colon cancer or a family history of colon cancer
 

¿What can Total Colonoscopy show me?
This examination allows the detection of:
 

• Bleeding in the Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) tract (colon)
• Polyps (which can be removed through the colonoscope during the examination)
• Tumor
• Inflammatory intestinal disease
• Diverticulosis (particularly in older people)
• CMV Gastroenteritis or colitis
• Colon Cancer screening
• Colorectal polyps
• Ischemic colitis
• Pseudomembranous colitis
 

¿What can Total Colonoscopy show me?

As in the Rectosigmoidoscopy there is a slight risk of perforation in the intestine, especially if there is presence of diverticula or if it is tried to force the passage through the narrowness or bending; the risks of the conscientious sedation are the same ones mentioned in Upper Digestive Endoscopy (see above). The general risk of complications is approximately 1 case in every 1,000 people.