Colonoscopy. Soon you will undergo a colonoscopy. The doctor will examine the inside of your colon with a sort of camera that is inserted in the anus.

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1 Gynaecology - Obstetrics - Senology - Urogynaecology Gastroenterology - Plastic and aesthetic surgery Physical therapist - Dietetics Alex Feldheimstraat Zaventem info@mirha.be Tel: 02/ Dear Madam/Mister, Colonoscopy Soon you will undergo a colonoscopy. The doctor will examine the inside of your colon with a sort of camera that is inserted in the anus. In concertation with your doctor, this examination finds place under full anesthesia. This is why you need to fill in the questionary in attachment correctly. How you need to prepare, the sequel, the duration, the possible side effects, the aftercare, is explained in the brochure below. We are asking you to read all this carefully. When signing up at the secretariat the day of the examination, you need to sign the last page of this document. Hereby, you declare that you have received all the information needed and you consent to this examination. If you have any questions, do not bother to contact.

2 1. THE PREPARATIONS The preparation is needed to empty your intestines. This is the only thing that can guarantee a safe and good examination.. What do you need to do? Δ eat less fibers during the last 2 days before hospitalization Δ an intestinal lavage is started the noon before your treatment between 14 and 16.00h (cfr brochure in attachment) Δ you need to have an empty belly on admission Δ continue your intestinal lavage the evening before your treatment between 20 and 22.00h (cfr brochure in attachment) Why do you need to eat less fibers? Our body is not able to digest fibers, that s why they enlarge our intestinal mass, which allows a better working (faster transit). But the intestines need to be empty for a colonoscopy and that is why you need to avoid fiber-rich alimentation during your meals (like brown bread, whole grain, vegetables and fruit, nuts, potatoes) during 2 days. You can find examples of food with less fibers in attachment.

3 2. THE DAY OF THE EXAMINATION When arriving, sign up at the secretariat at the given hour. Please bring your ID and a vignette of your mutuality with you. The secretary will guide you to a room where you can change your clothes at all ease. Colonoscopy under full anesthesia. The exam will take place at the given hour. After this, you will be brought to the waking room.

4 3. RESIGNATION If the doctor gives you permission, you can go home. The medication you took can slow your reflexes, that s why you need to be accompanied by an adult person and you can t drive during the first 12 hours. You will get the needed prescriptions and, if needed, get an appointment for consultation. The report will be sent by mail or to your general practitioner. After the exam, it is possible to have abdominal cramps or a bloated feeling for a while. From the moment you can let go some air, the air that was injected can now escape. You can eat normally afterwards, except if your doctor gave you a diet. Notice, the information given after an exam is often forgotten due to the medication.

5 4. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE EXAM A colonoscopy is done to search for intestinal polyps and existing or upcoming tumors and to search for causes of diarrhea, intestinal inflammations, ulcers and bleeding sources. The colonscope is a flexible tube that shows the inside of the colon in color on a screen. Air is injected and fluid is aspired in the intestines to get a better view. Other instruments can also be inserted in the tube: - to get tissue for microscopic research - for treatment (polyps, narrowing, bleeding ). During the colonoscopy, big lesions will not be taken away. An additional treatment will then be proposed to you in the hospital. A colonoscopy will take about 30 minutes.

6 5. SAFETY AND RISKS A colonoscopy is a very safe exam. The combination exam and treatment can give a higher risk for complications. Bleeding when taking away polyps/biopts can often be stopped immediately, the patient will often not notice sequels. Additional research is needed if bigger lesions are found. A perforation of the intestinal wall is very rare but can require a surgical operation. When acute problems happen during this examination you will be transported to a hospital nearby, in our case this is the AZ-Jan Portaels in Vilvoorde. Infection: the colonoscope is cleansed and disinfected before every use, according to scientific and international norms. Infection is very rare but we cannot guarantee this to the fullest.

7 PLEASE READ THIS! If you take medication at home: You can take your usual medication, but you need to do this after intestinal preparation. You also need to tell this to your doctor at an early stage, because some medication needs to be stopped (10 days in advance) or replaced by an other product. Don t forget to notice blood thinners, iron preparations, painkillers and antipyretics. For heart patients: Maybe additional precautions are needed. Don t forget to inform your doctor. If you are accompanied: Persons that are with you and want to stay with you can take place in the waiting room. This brochure is indicative and only gives general information. Not all possible techniques, applications and risks are taken in account. All the information needs to be adjusted according to each patient by the doctor. If you have any questions concerning this exam or if you want to replace your appointment, please contact the secretariat: info@mirha.be Tel: 02/ A. Feldheimstraat Zaventem

8 Gynaecology - Obstetrics - Senology - Urogynaecology Gastroenterology - Plastic and aesthetic surgery Physical therapist - Dietetics Alex Feldheimstraat Zaventem info@mirha.be Tel: 02/ ,... I, undersigned, have read and understood the information in this brochure and asked eventual additional questions. I also understood that I cannot go home without an adult person after this exam. I give the doctors permission to perform this exam. First name and last name: Date: Signature:

What is a Colonoscopy?

What is a Colonoscopy? A colonoscopy is a test to look inside your colon. A colonoscopy is done by a gastroenterologist, a doctor trained in looking at the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The main tool used