Total Colonoscopy: much more than a test

Colonoscopy or colon endoscopy, also called Fibrocolonoscopy, is a test of great importance to diagnose and prevent colorectal cancer. This test allows a detailed exploration of the colon, clearly identifying the lesions that may be present and allowing biopsies and complementary procedures to be taken as necessary.

What are the benefits of colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy performs a safe and effective diagnosis that generally allows the diagnosis of most inflammatory or tumor diseases of the colon. To perform this test, long, flexible, tubular instruments with a camera at the distal end and introduced through the anus are used. The incorporated camera has light and image in real time, in addition, it has an internal channel that allows the introduction of the necessary equipment to perform any type of therapy. The technique is performed on an outpatient basis and under sedation, so the patient does not feel pain during the procedure.

What pathologies can be diagnosed with colonoscopy?

The main indications for colonoscopy are the prevention of colorectal cancer, the control and removal of polyps, the control of changes in the evacuatory habit, suspicion of inflammatory bowel disease and the study of abdominal symptoms in general. During the test, different diagnostic or therapeutic techniques can be performed.

  • Polypectomy: consists in the removal of polypoid lesions in the narrow areas of the rectum and colon. If during the exploration the existence of these tumor alterations is confirmed, the treatment is performed through the endoscope.
  • Bleeding control: if any type of bleeding lesion occurs, it can be treated by electrocoagulation, sclerosis, argon gas coagulation or other similar techniques.
  • Endoscopic resection of tumors: this test allows removal of polypoid lesions of large volume and diameter, provided they do not infiltrate the colon wall or there is a technical problem for endoscopic resection, in which case surgical removal is indicated.
  • Mucosectomy: this is performed by infiltrating the colon mucosa with different substances. This avoids perforation or bleeding in addition to being able to remove bulky or extensive polypoid lesions that affect the mucosa of the digestive tract and which would otherwise necessarily require surgery.
  • Endoscopic hemostatic techniques: these are used to treat flat or bleeding mucosal and/or polypoid lesions in order to remove them safely, avoiding the risk of perforation and bleeding when performing therapeutic endoscopy where there is a risk of bleeding.
  • Endoscopic marker tattooing: this endoscopic technique is used to mark the location of a suspicious lesion that is difficult to locate, either to remove or control it endoscopically, or for its surgical removal.
  • Endoscopic biopsy: this is the extraction of one or more samples of mucosal tissue from the digestive tract by means of a forceps introduced through the endoscope channel.
  • Endoscopic removal of foreign bodies: sometimes foreign bodies may remain in the cecum or cross the ileocecal valve, such as dental screws, fruit pits or other small foreign bodies or foreign bodies that have been introduced through the anus such as irrigation cannulas or objects related to sexual practices.