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Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is a safe, effective method of examining the full lining of the colon and rectum, using a long, flexible, tubular instrument using an instrument called a colonoscope. It is used to diagnose colon and rectum problems and to perform biopsies and remove colon polyps (polypectomies). Most colonoscopies are performed as an outpatient, with minimal inconvenience and discomfort.

Who should have a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy may be recommended to adults 50 years of age or older who are found to have tiny traces of blood in stool samples submitted as part of the Bowel Screening Program. Patients with a family history of colon or rectal cancer may also need to consider having a colonoscopy, even if they do not have any bowel symptoms. Your doctor may also recommend a colonoscopy examination if you have had a change in bowel habit or you have noticed rectal bleeding. These symptoms indicate a possible problem in the colon or rectum. A colonoscopy may be necessary to:

Check unexplained abdominal symptoms
Check inflammatory bowel disease (colitis)
Verify findings of polyps or tumours located with a barium enema exam
Examine patients who test positive for blood in the stool (positive bowel screening test)
Monitor patients with a personal or family history of colon polyps or cancer.

Colon and rectum containing a colonoscope, a view of the end of a colonoscope and a view of the colon during a colonoscopy

Pentax colonoscope used to perform high definition colonoscopy

How to make an appointment

It is important to have a clinic consultation in the first instance to discuss the procedure in detail with your consultant and ensure that this is the right procedure for you.

You can call RossHall directly on 0141 810 3151, press Option 1 and ask to make an appointment to see Richard Molloy.

You can also request a clinic appointment using the link below.

If you have any questions regarding appointments etc, please feel free to contact Catherine on (0141) 620 3687 or by email at glasgowsurgery@protonmail.com

Although it is not possible to answer specific clinic questions by email, I am happy to advise if it is worthwhile making a clinic appointment to discuss your heath. Please feel free to contact me at

rmolloy@colorectalcentre.co.uk

How is colonoscopy performed?

The bowel must first be cleared of all residue before a colonoscopy. This is done before the exam with special laxatives prescribed by your doctor. Most patients opt for intravenous sedation, or “conscious sedation” for this procedure. This means that they may be a little drowsy but the aim is not to make them fully unconscious.

If you are anxious about the procedure, you can request full sedation/general anaesthesia which is administered by an anaesthetist.

If any abnormality is identified, biopsies can be taken or polyps can be removed. The entire procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes.

Most patients can resume their regular diet and activities the same day. If they have had sedation, they should not drive, operate machinery or sign any legal documents for the rest of the day.

What are the benefits of colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is more accurate than an x-ray or CT scan of the colon to detect polyps or early cancer. With colonoscopy, it is may also be possible to detect and remove most polyps without abdominal surgery. Removing polyps is an important step in the prevention of colon cancer. Colonoscopy also allows your consultant to assess the severity and extent of colitis.

What are the risks of colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is generally a very safe procedure with complications occurring in less than 1% of patients. These risks include bleeding, a tear in the intestine, risks of the sedation and failure to either complete the examination or failure to detect a polyp or other pathology.

Should I have a private colonoscopy in the Glasgow Colorectal Centre ?

Mr. Richard Molloy is a highly experienced consultant surgeon who performs colonoscopy as part of his routine clinical practice. He is able to get a full assessment of the entire colon in more than 95% of the procedure he undertakes. He also performs colonoscopy as part of the NHS Colorectal Cancer Screening program. He is experienced at advanced & therapeutic colonoscopy including complex polypectomies, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and dilatation (opening up) of colonic strictures etc.

The Glasgow Colorectal Centre is based at BMI Ross Hall hospital. We have a state of the art dedicated endoscopy suite, with the very latest high definition Pentax and Olympus colonoscopes. It has its own entrance/reception which directly lead into the patient rooms and the endoscopy suite.