Colonoscopy

What is the colonoscopy ?

Colonoscopy also known as coloscopy is an examination that allows to study the internal wall of the colon. It looks for polyps, durable presence of blood in the stools, The occurrence of unexplained anemia, The presence of recurrent abdominal pain, Chronic changes in intestinal transit (constipation or persistent diarrhea), cancer, diverticulitis, inflammation or infection ...

It is recommended for the detection of colon cancer in any person aged 50 years or older

Using a miniaturized camera (which the doctor introduces anally), the walls of your intestine are examined to find a cause for your problems or to look for polyps if it is a cancer screening . The examination, which lasts on average 20 to 30 minutes, also makes it possible to take samples (biopsies) or to remove polyps.

Pain control can be accomplished by so-called disconnection sedation, which consists of mild anesthesia with intravenous injection of a product that puts you in a sleeping state for the duration of the examination, It is not a deep general anesthesia. This process is carried out under the permanent control of a seasoned anesthetist. At the end of the exam, you wake up almost immediately.

Caution: Injection of a sedative or anesthetic prohibits you from driving a vehicle during the whole day. So make sure you accompany or choose another means of transport.

How to prepare for a colonoscopy ?

The colon must be clean for the examination to be of quality! It depends on you! You will have to follow a strict waste diet during the 4 days before your exam and drink at least 1.5 L of water per day.

Procedure to be followed before performing colonoscopy:

Prohibited: fruits, vegetables, gray bread or whole meal, cereals.

Foods Can be eaten for a few days before performing a colonoscopy: semi-skimmed or lean dairy products, fish, egg, poultry fillet, lean meat, white bread, crispbread, jelly jam, fruit juice without pulp, White rice, white pasta, potato, tea, coffee, defatted broth, plain water.

If the exam takes place in the morning:

The day before

• ✓ Breakfast and light lunch following the die
• ✓ at 3pm a snack like a natural yoghurt or a cream is allowed, Take a tablet of Dulcolax®
• ✓ From that moment on, you can not eat until the end of your exam !
• ✓ at 6pm: Dilute the dose N ° 1 (1 sachet) of PLENVU® in 500ml of cold water and drink the solution thus obtained in 30 minutes.
• ✓ at 6:30pm: Drink at least 500 ml of water in 30 minutes.
• ✓ at 8pm: Dilute the dose N ° 2 (2 sachets) of PLENVU® in 500ml of cold water and drink the solution in 30 minutes.
• ✓ at 8:30 pm: Drink at least 500ml of water in 30 minutes.
• ✓ After 9pm you can drink extra clear liquid (water, tea or coffee without milk, apple juice) if you want.
• ✓ The Clean Enema to do 1 hour before your departure for the exam

If the exam takes place in the afternoon (2 options):

1st option

The day before

• ✓ Breakfast and light lunch following the diet
• ✓ At 3pm a snack like yogurt or cream is allowed, Also take 1 tablet of Dulcolax®
• ✓ From now on you can't eat anything until the end of your exam !
• ✓ At 6pm: Dilute the dose N ° 1 (1 sachet) of PLENVU® in 500ml of cold water and drink the solution obtained in 30 minutes.
• ✓ At 6:30pm: Drink at least 500ml of water in 30 min.

2nd option

The day before

• ✓ Breakfast and light lunch following the diet
• ✓ At 8 pm a light soup and / or a natural yoghurt
• ✓ From that moment on you can not eat anything until the end of your exam !
• ✓ Take 1 tablets of Dulcolax®
The day of the exam
• ✓ At 6am: Dilute the dose N ° 1 (1 sachet) of PLENVU® in 500 ml of cold water and drink the resulting solution in 30 minutes.
• ✓ At 6:30 am: Drink at least 500ml of water in 30 minutes.
• ✓ At 8am: Dilute the dose N ° 2 (2 sachets) of PLENVU® in 500 ml of cold water and drink the solution obtained in 30 minutes.
• ✓ At 8:30 am: Drink at least 500 ml of water in 30 minutes.
• ✓ After 9am you can drink extra clear liquid (water, tea or coffee without milk, apple juice) if you want.

More Informations

Can I take my medications ?

You must take them in the morning of the exam unless the anesthetist advises otherwise. However, if you have diabetes, take anti-coagulants or aspirin, have problems cardiac, pulmonary or have a heart valve, contact for anesthesia consultation to 02 673 90 71.

Should I stay on an empty stomach?

Do not eat 6h before the exam. Do not drink 2 hours before the exam.