Mayo stand and back table instruments for Colonoscopy surgery setupMisc
Colonoscope
What to expect during Colonoscopy
Colonoscope
Colonoscopy is a common medical procedure that allows a doctor to examine the colon for abnormalities such as polyps, tumors, or other signs of disease. During the procedure, a long, flexible tube with a camera attached is inserted through the rectum and advanced through the colon. It is a routine screening test for colorectal cancer and is also used to diagnose and treat other conditions affecting the colon. Colonoscopies are popularly done by an Endo team, but they can also be done in the OR too.
Step 1: Patient Preparation
Before starting the procedure, the patient is usually sedated and placed on their side. Additionally, they are instructed to drink clear liquids for around 24 hours before the colonoscopy. This helps to ensure that there are no solid particles in the way of the doctor’s view.
Step 2: Lubrication and Insertion of Colonoscope
The surgeon begins by putting lubricant on the colonoscope and then inserts it into the rectum. They will advance the scope through the colon while looking for any abnormalities. At this stage, only a simple colonoscope is needed.
Step 3: Biopsy
If the surgeon sees any abnormalities, they may want to take biopsies. In this case, a long snare is used to remove any polyps, or a long flexible cup forcep may be used to take a piece of tissue.
Tips and tricks
If the surgeon’s visualization is poor, they may use a large syringe filled with saline to flush through the scope. This helps to clear the view and makes it easier to identify any abnormalities.
Colonoscopies are very routine, and usually a simple scope is all you need. Other times the surgeon will want to take biopsies if they see abnormalities. A long snare may be used if there are any polyps, and a long flexible cup forcep may be used if the surgeon wants to take a piece of tissue.
The Surgery Sparknotes
- Patient sedation and positioning on side.
- Colonoscope lubrication and insertion into rectum.
- Scope advancement through colon while searching for abnormalities.
- Biopsy instruments used for taking tissue or polyps.
- Saline flushing used for poor visualization.
How do you clean the scope?
The outside of the scope can be wiped down, and there’s actually a scope cleaner from the scope manufacturer that your facility should have. It’s a blue liquid “soap” that you suck up through the scope before sending it to decontam to be sterilized.