A colonoscopy is a procedure to look inside the colon or rectum for a mass in patients with rectal cancer. In this test, doctors use a flexible, lighted instrument with a tiny built-in camera called a colonoscope to inspect the rectum or lower colon. During a colonoscopy, tissue samples can be biopsied and any other abnormalities, such as a polyp or inflamed tissue, can be taken out. In general, colonoscopy is a safe and potentially life-saving endoscopic procedure, but the diagnostic and therapeutic safeties depend on the quality of colonic preparation, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Bleeding
Bleeding is a common hemorrhagic complication of colonoscopy. It occurs either during the procedure, known as intraoperative hemorrhage, or after the procedure, known as postoperative hemorrhage. Patients may have some bleeding due to polyp removal or biopsy for up to one week, MayoClinic.com says. Normally, the amount of blood lost during surgery increases with the size of the polyp and stage of the colon cancer, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Perforations
Endoscopic perforation of the colon is an acute but serious complication of colonoscopy. The perforations can also be fatal in some instances. A perforation is a rupture wound through the rectosigmoid region, or terminal portion of the colon, caused by the side of the colonoscope. The rate of perforation complications increases when a polyp is taken out.
Infection
The chances of picking up infections are very low after a colonoscopy. An endoscope is sterilized between each patient's use, as with other crucial items. It's done either manually or with an automated endoscope reprocessor. Failure to achieve good disinfection can result in outbreaks of infection. As a consequence, infection can be passed from person to person who use the same endoscope.
