According to the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, colonoscopy is a test that enables the doctor to look inside the colon using a flexible tube known as colonoscope. A colonoscopy is used to diagnose colon abnormalities such as colon cancer, colon polyps, areas of inflammation and bleeding. Complications may occur during a colonoscopy or after the procedure.
Perforation of the Colon
Colon perforation is the creation of a hole in the walls of the colon. During colonoscopy, perforation of the colon may result as the colonoscope is advanced into the rectum and colon. According to the National Institutes of Health, colon perforation is rare when performed by a well-trained gastroenterologist and occurs in about 3 out of every 1000 tests. Signs and symptoms of colon perforation include abdominal tenderness, abdominal distension, bloody stool, weakness, dizziness when standing and a board-like abdomen.
Infection
The National Institutes of Health states that sites of colon perforation, biopsy and polypectomy may become infected. Contents of the bowel may also leak to the rest of the body through the hole in the perforated colon and lead to blood infection known as sepsis. Patients should be aware of signs of infection such as fever, chills and abdominal tenderness. Colon infection is treated with antibiotics.
Bleeding
According to the National Institutes of Health, bleeding is a possible complication of a colonoscopy. Bleeding may occur at the sites of biopsy or polypectomy. Biopsy is the removal of a sample of tissue from the colon so as to be examined for cancer and other abnormalities. Polypectomy is the removal of abnormal growths known as polyps from the wall of the colon. Bleeding is controlled during colonoscopy by injecting medication to stop bleeding through the colonoscope, and by sealing bleeding blood vessels using heat treatment. Massive bleeding may require hospitalization for blood transfusions and surgery. Signs of internal bleeding include bright red stool, weakness and dizziness upon standing. Patients should be aware that bleeding can occur several days after a colonoscopy.
Adverse Reactions to Sedation Medication
According to the National Institutes of Health, patients may suffer from low blood pressure and respiratory depression during colonoscopy. Sedative drugs cause slowed breathing and low blood pressure, which may be a concern in patients with previous histories of lung and heart problems. Patients are constantly monitored during colonoscopy to avoid complications from sedatives.
