Colonoscopy

What is a colonoscopy?

It is an intervention - under general anesthesia - that allows to observe the internal walls of the colon: for this, a flexible tube, equipped with a camera and a clamp for the samples, is introduced. The samples are then analyzed and biopsied.

In which cases does a colonoscopy take place?

To screen people over the age of 50 who have risk factors or characteristic symptoms, and also for those whose stool test is positive. If a lesion is discovered, colonoscopy can determine its degree of danger.

What should be done before the procedure?

First, you must refrain from taking aspirin during the ten days preceding the procedure. People on anticoagulants should report it.
In addition, two days before the colonoscopy, the patient must abstain from eating fruits, vegetables and fatty meat. Rice, pasta, fish and lean meats are allowed.
To clean the intestine, the patient must drink, two days before the exam, two liters of a drug that will cause loose stools. If the colonoscopy is done the next morning, he will have to drink a third of it after dinner. If it is scheduled for the next afternoon, he will drink it the morning of the intervention.