How Is a Colonoscopy Performed?
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Sedation
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At the beginning of a colonoscopy, the patient lays on his side on the examination table. The doctor gives him a light sedative or pain medication to keep the patient as comfortable as possible during the procedure. Sometimes a stronger sedative may be given to the patient. If that is the case, the doctor and her staff watch the patient's vital signs.
Procedure
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The doctor inserts the colonoscope into the patient's rectum. This is a long, flexible tube that has a little camera mounted on it. This camera sends video images of the large intestine to a computer screen for the doctor to view. The doctor moves the colonoscope slowly through the large intestine, looking for abnormalities. If he spots any, he may opt to take a tissue sample from that area. This involves inserting another instrument into the rectum. However, some doctors schedule this procedure for another time.
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Removal and Review
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When the scope has come within the area of the entrance to the small intestine, the scope is slowly removed. The doctor then reviews the video images taken during the procedure. This is done so he can thoroughly inspect the large intestine and try to spot things he may have missed earlier.
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