A difficult colonoscopy is one “in which the endoscopist has trouble getting through the entire colon or fails to do so,” according to Dr. Jerome Waye. An estimated 10 to 20 percent of colonoscopies are considered difficult.
G&H What defines a difficult colonoscopy? RW A difficult colonoscopy is any colonoscopy in which the endoscopist has trouble achieving cecal intubation without significant effort or discomfort to the patient.
One such factor is the presence of surgical adhesions. Another factor is body habitus. Women are more likely to have a difficult colonoscopy because it has been shown that they have longer colons than men packed into a smaller abdominal cavity, resulting in many twists and turns in the colon.
Loops or angulation in the colon are possibly the most common patient-related source of difficulty. Some bends require additional skill to navigate. Loops, particularly in the sigmoid colon, can result in loss of control of the endoscope as well as patient discomfort.
Thinner and more flexible endoscopes may cause less stretching of the mesentery, which is one of the principal sources of pain during colonoscopy.
In general, colonoscopy is a safe procedure. As with any medical procedure, however, there are some risks associated with the procedure and with the sedation used. You should contact your doctor if you feel severe abdominal pain, dizziness, fever, chills or rectal bleeding after the colonoscopy.
The success of screening colonoscopy depends upon several parameters, including bowel preparation and adenoma detection rate. Incomplete colonoscopy rates vary from 4% to 25% and are associated with higher rates of interval proximal colon cancer.
It is possible that other gender-related anatomic factors have an influence over the relative difficulty of colonoscopy. The female pelvis is deeper and more rounded than its male counterpart, which may predispose to loop formation in the sigmoid colon.
Although perforations usually occur during the colonoscopic examination or within 24 h after the procedure[1-3], delayed perforation of the colon and rectum has been reported[38,39].
Colonoscopies are a common diagnostic procedure used to detect and diagnose various conditions of the colon. While a colonoscopy is not considered a surgery, the procedure does involve some risks and should be discussed with your doctor prior to undergoing the procedure.
Alternatives to colonoscopy include sigmoidoscopy, which is a less invasive form of colonoscopy, and noninvasive methods, such as stool sample testing.
Is a sedation-free colonoscopy painful or uncomfortable? Most patients report little or no discomfort during the procedure. You can request sedation during the procedure if you change your mind and feel you need it, although it has been my experience that this seldom occurs.
Recovery from a colonoscopy , an examination of the large intestine used to screen for colon cancer, takes about a day.
This is a rough way to do it, but yes, you will have a very temporary weight loss of one to three pounds typically. But, just as with your bowel habits, these few pounds will return as well once you resume your normal diet.
Dr. Samadder: Yes, for a long time physicians were under the impression that colonoscopy was 100% or nearly 100% protective from colorectal cancer, however, our data clearly shows that though colonoscopy is excellent, it can capture 94% of all colorectal cancer.
They heard the test is difficult or painful, and they may be embarrassed to discuss colorectal cancer screening with their doctor. (Some tests can be taken at home with no pain or discomfort.) Because they have no family history, they think they aren't at risk and don't have to be screened.
As often as 40% of the time, a precancerous polyp — frequently a type called an adenoma — is found during a screening colonoscopy. Colon cancer is found during only in about 40 out of 10,000 screening colonoscopies, Dr. Sand said.
If your stool is not clear after taking your entire bowel prep agent, you may need additional prep agent. Contact your physician if your stool is still brown or has dark particles hours after finishing your bowel cleansing agent.
Instead of preventing 90 percent of cancers, as some doctors have told patients, colonoscopies might actually prevent more like 60 percent to 70 percent. “This is a really dramatic result,” said Dr. David F. Ransohoff, a gasteroenterologist at the University of North Carolina.
Both procedures are relatively safe; CT does expose you to radiation (at a safe level) and if IV contrast dye is used to enhance CT images, some people may be allergic or have the possibility of kidney damage. A colonoscopy carries the risk of bowel perforation and allergic reaction to anesthesia drugs.
A traditional colonoscopy is the most widely known colorectal cancer screening procedure, but many patients are choosing a non-invasive CT (computerized tomography) Colonography instead. A CT Colonography doesn't require sedation and is just as accurate at detecting most precancerous polyps.
After your colonoscopy, you will stay in a recovery area until your sedatives wear off. If any polyps are removed, they will be sent to a lab for analysis. The results can be cancerous, precancerous, or noncancerous.