DATE of COLONOSCOPY: _____________ GASTROENTEROLOGIST: _______________

• La Trobe University Medical Centre - Cnr Kingsbury Dve & Plenty Rd, Bundoora
• Bundoora Endoscopy - 119 Plenty Rd, Bundoora
• Warringal Private Hospital – 216 Burgundy St Heidelberg
• Coburg Endoscopy - 15 Munro St, Coburg
• Cotham Private Hospital - 209 Cotham, Rd Kew

COLONOSCOPY INFORMATION

A colonoscopy is a procedure that enables your doctor to examine the lining of the colon (large bowel). Under sedation, a flexible tube is gently passed via the rectum (back passage) into the colon. A tissue sample (biopsy) may be taken, or polyps (growths) removed and sent to the pathologist. Colonoscopy is the best test to assess for bowel polyps or cancers, although no test is 100% accurate.

Is Colonoscopy safe?

Colonoscopy is a safe and well tolerated procedure, although it is recommended that you seek advice prior to the procedure if you have significant heart, lung or kidney problems. It is normal to feel temporary bloating following the procedure due to inflation of the bowel during the procedure. Occasionally there may be nausea or lightheadedness following the anaesthetic. Serious complications are rare, but may include:

• Perforation (a hole in the bowel wall) which may require surgery – this is uncommon, 1:3000 cases
• Aspiration (inhaling of stomach contents into the lung whilst sedated) which may require antibiotic treatment or hospitalization if severe;
• Bleeding if a polyp is removed – this may occur up to 2 weeks following the procedure and rarely requires hospitalization or further procedures to stop the bleeding
• Death is extremely rare, although this is a possible consequence of any medical procedure.

If you wish to discuss the details of all possible rare complications, you should inform your doctor and/or anaesthetist prior to the procedure.

What Bowel Preparation is required?

For the procedure to be accurate, the colon must be completely clean. This is achieved using a “BOWEL PREPARATION KIT” (see next page for further instructions), which causes mild-moderate diarrhoea. This is available at the GastroNorth main rooms or at your local pharmacy without a prescription for a small fee.

What do I need to bring?

You will need to bring your doctor’s referral if available, health fund card and medicare card. You will need to change into a patient gown for the procedure, and so please bring loose fitting clothing that can be easily removed and folded. Any jewellery and valuables should be left at home.

What happens afterwards?

You may be drowsy for several hours following the colonoscopy due to the sedation administered. A friend or family member needs to drive you home your procedure may be cancelled if this has not been organized. You must not drive or operate any machinery for 24 hours afterwards. You can continue taking all of your prescription medications as directed.

Please contact your doctor if you experience any severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, fevers/chills, breathing difficulty, or any other symptoms you are concerned about. Alternatively, contact the closest emergency department e.g. The Northern Hospital (9405 8000), The Austin Hospital (9496 5000).

• Dietary Modification – for 2-3 days prior to the colonoscopy avoid foods with grains and seeds.
• Medications – You can usually take all of your regular medication with a sip of water. If you take warfarin/coumadin, clopidogrel (Plavix/Iscover), insulin please seek advice at least 10 days prior to the colonoscopy. Oral diabetic medications can be withheld on the day of the procedure. In general, please cease the following drugs 7 days prior to the colonoscopy: anti-inflammatories (nurofen, indocid, voltaren etc), iron tablets (including multivitamins containing iron), and drugs to stop diarrhoea. If you take the Oral Contraceptive Pill you should use alternative contraception for 7 days after the bowel preparation is commenced as the pill’s absorption may be temporarily affected.

• STEP 1: Diet Only CLEAR FLUIDS are allowed. This includes: water, coffee or tea (without milk), clear fruit juice (no pulp), clear soups (e.g. clear chicken broth), cordial or sports drinks (avoid red/purple colourings), lucozade.
• STEP 2: 4 pm One Picolax or Picoprep (see above). Follow with two glasses of CLEAR FLUIDS
• STEP 3: 6 pm One Picolax or Picoprep (see above). Follow with two glasses of CLEAR FLUIDS
• STEP 4: 8 pm One Picolax or Picoprep (see above). Follow with two glasses of CLEAR FLUIDS

Day of the Colonoscopy

• STEP 5: READY Take regular medications (except diabetic medications) with a sip of water
  Nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to the procedure, except for medications.
  Arrive at scheduled time. Please note that the appointment time is not the time of the endoscopic procedure

• STEP 1: Diet You may have a light low fibre breakfast, but NOTHING to eat thereafter.
  Only CLEAR FLUIDS are allowed after breakfast. This includes: water, coffee or tea (without milk), clear fruit juice (no pulp), clear soups (e.g. clear chicken broth), cordial or sports drinks (avoid red/purple colourings), lucozade.
• STEP 2: 6 pm One Picolax or Picoprep (see above). Follow with two glasses of CLEAR FLUIDS
• STEP 3: 8 pm One Picolax or Picoprep (see above). Follow with two glasses of CLEAR FLUIDS

Day of the Colonoscopy

• STEP 4: 7 am One Picolax or Picoprep (see above). Follow with two glasses of CLEAR FLUIDS
• STEP 5: READY Take regular medications (except diabetic medications) with a sip of water Nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to the procedure. Arrive at scheduled time. Please note that the appointment time is not the time of the endoscopic procedure