RISK AND COMPLICATIONS

Complications of colonoscopy

• There is a risk of 1 in 1000 of bowel perforation and this would require transfer to hospital for observation or surgical treatment.
• Bleeding can occur from biopsy sites, particularly from large polyp removal. The risk of bleeding is about 1 in 1000 for normal biopsy and 1 in 100 for polyp removal. Most polyps are removed during colonoscopy. However if a polyp is very large or complex you will be referred to a bigger hospital for its removal for safety reasons.
• Abdominal pain is not uncommon after colonoscopy. This is due to the gaseous distension that occurs as the result of the colonoscopy procedure. This minor discomfort generally settles within 24 hours. However if the pain is severe, the patient needs to consult a doctor or attend an emergency department of a nearby hospital.
• Nausea and vomiting. Occasionally patients are not able to tolerate the bowel preparation.  Nausea is not uncommon but if this is mild it is important to continue with the bowel preparation.  Reducing the rate of drinking the laxative solution may allow you to complete the whole preparation. It is not possible to do the colonoscopy without proper bowel preparation.
• Aspiration can occur during colonoscopy and if this is significant this may require hospitalisation.
• Splenic injury. Very rarely the spleen can be damaged during the colonoscopy causing internal bleeding and may require surgery.

Complications of anaesthetics

Endoscopy is usually performed under light anaesthetic.  The main risks of anaesthesia are as follows:

• Asipiration of gastric fluids into the lungs causing lung infection or breathing difficulties
• Remote chance of suffering a heart attack, stroke or death
• Allergic reaction to the anaesthetic drugs
• Dental trauma
• bruising or pain at injection or intravenous cannulation sites.