Procedures
Colonoscopy
During a colonoscopy, a gastroenterologist uses a thin flexible tube with a light and tiny camera on one end (colonoscope) to look at the inside lining of your rectum and colon. The colon is the last part of your digestive tract. It is a hollow tube about 5 feet long that starts at the end of the small intestine and ends at the rectum and anus.
During a colonoscopy, your doctor can look for polyps, ulcers, tumors and areas of inflammation or bleeding. A colonoscopy is most commonly done to screen for colon cancer; but it can also be done to look for causes of unexplained changes in bowel habits and to evaluate symptoms like abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, anemia and weight loss.
Colonoscopy is the most sensitive method to detect colorectal neoplasia and prevent deaths from colon cancer.
Procedural Information
What to expect during a colonoscopy
Click the link below to view a short video about colonoscopy
The use of carbon dioxide during colonoscopy to decrease bloating and gas pains
When air is used to inflate the colon during a colonoscopy most patients will experience some brief abdominal bloating, gas, and perhaps some cramping during recovery. This is due to the retention of the air in the colon after the procedure. At the Seaford Endoscopy Center, we utilize carbon dioxide to inflate the colon instead of air. This fairly new technique leaves our patients with little or no gas after the procedure. Our patients who receive this technique typically report 100% satisfaction with their level of comfort upon discharge from the Center. This benefit is available at no added charge to our patients.
Polypectomy
A polypectomy is the procedure used to remove any polyps (growths on the inside lining of the colon) that are found during a colonoscopy. Polyps may be using a snare or a biopsy forceps.
A snare is a thin wire that is passed thru the colonoscope and placed around the polyp where is attaches to the colon wall. Dr. Mackler and the assistant cut the polyp off by carefully tightening the wire around the base of the polyp. The polyp is then removed from the colon and placed in a jar to be sent to the lab.
You cannot feel a polyp in the colon and will not feel the polyp being removed.
Cytology/Biopsy
Cytology is a branch of biology that examines the formation, structure, and pathology of cells. Biopsy is removal and examination of a sample tissue from a living body for diagnostic purposes.
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