Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is a common medical procedure in Hong Kong, using a flexible endoscope to diagnose lesions and diseases of the large bowel. If causeblood in the stool...you should follow your doctor’s advice and undergo a colonoscopy. Hong Kong government launched Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme and advise people aged 50 years old should undergo bowel checkup. Please Contact Us for detained pricing and information of cystoscopy at HKMED.
Colonoscopy can be more accurate than X-ray in identifying the cause of the disease, allowing the doctor to observe the condition of the lining of the colon on the screen instantly and to use different instruments to stop bleeding, remove polyps, etc., and to extract suspicious tissues for further biopsy.
Who should have colonoscopy?
People aged 50 years who do not have any symptoms should have their first colonoscopy or be treated as recommended by their doctor if symptoms are found. If no abnormalities are found after colonoscopy, regular faecal occult blood tests or colonoscopy should be performed as recommended by your doctor.
People of all ages are at risk of colorectal cancer and should seek medical advice and examination as soon as possible if they have:
- Bloody stools
- Anaemia
- Change in bowel habit (constipation and diarrhoea happening alternately)
- Chronic diarrhoea
- Unexplained abdominal pain
- Polyps, abnormal cells
Colonoscopy Check-up
Colonoscopy is a simple procedure that can be completed in about 2 hours at day medical centre. Prior to colonoscopy, an anaesthetic procedure will be performed to minimise discomfort during the examination. Colonoscopy using a flexible tube of approximately 1.3 cm diameter is passed through the anus into the colon, and the lining of the colon will be examined. The entire colonoscopy generally takes about 15 to 45 minutes and the patient will be then taken to the recovery room where he/she will be checked with the vital-index device for further monitoring by a team of healthcare professionals.
Colonoscopy procedure process is simple and quick
- Schedule doctor's evaluation and consultation
- Meet with the specialist
- Visit the clinic the day before to receive laxative solution
- Undergo colonoscopy examination
Types of Anaesthesia for Colonoscopy
During the entire colonoscopy (large intestine endoscopy) examination, HKMED offers two types of anesthesia for patients to choose from, in order to reduce patient anxiety and discomfort caused during the examination:
- Intravenous sedation: the patient is injected with intravenous sedatives to relax for the colonoscopy.
- Deep anaesthesia: through deep anaesthesia, patients can undergo colonoscopy without discomfort.
During the examination process, an endoscope-specific carbon dioxide insufflator is used to reduce abdominal discomfort after the examination. Additionally, a high-pressure automatic flushing function is available, which increases efficiency while shortening the examination time.
Preparing for Colonoscopy
Patients must take the low-fibre meal and bowel-cleansing medication 3 days prior to the colonoscopy so that the doctor can examine more accurately the lesions in the lining of the colon. The patients should inform the doctor of any medication currently taking, or the suspect or confirmed pregnancy before the examination so that the doctor is aware of the patient’s condition. After the colonoscopy, the patient will be taken to the recovery room for a rest. Due to the use of sedatives, patients are advised to avoid operating heavy machinery, signing legal documents or driving for 24 hours after the examination.
Bowel cleansing should be carried out as instructed by the healthcare staff before the examination to prevent faecal matters from obstructing the observation of the colon.
No food or drink six hours before the procedure.
Please inform the doctor before the inspection if the patient is or might be pregnant.
Please take off any metal accessories, dentures & contact lenses and change into a surgical gown.
Please inform the doctor if you are taking any drugs or medications, particularly for diabetes or that could affect blood clotting.
腸內視鏡檢查後護理
- 腸鏡檢查後，需要卧床休息，等待麻醉藥和鎮靜劑的作用消退後才能起床活動和進食。一般來說，鎮靜劑的效果需要1至2小時才會減退。
- 在檢查後的24小時內，應避免駕駛車輛、操作重型機械或簽署法律文件。
- 如果在腸鏡檢查中進行了腸瘜肉切除，病人在接下來的1至2天內可能會出現輕微的大便帶血情況，這通常是正常的。建議觀察情況，如果出現任何不適或懷疑併發症，應尋求醫療協助。
Is it dangerous to perform colonoscopy?
Although colonoscopy is an invasive procedure, it is a safe check-up item. Patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, valvular heart disease, or those taking medication, however, should inform their doctor before the examination so that they are aware of their health condition. Patients should also contact the centre as soon as possible if they feel unwell after the examination or if they have any questions about the test results.
Colonoscopy Charges
仁輝專科中心提供多項大腸鏡檢查項目，不同價錢包涵蓋的檢查範圍亦有不同，當中包括基本腸鏡檢查、瘜肉切除等，大腸鏡檢查收費由 $7,800起。為配合個人身體情況所需，如欲查詢詳細大腸內窺鏡檢查費用，請聯絡仁輝內視鏡及日間醫療中心。
本中心已參與由衛生署推行的「Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme organised by the Department of Health to provide endoscopic screening to eligible citizens. For details of the terms and conditions of health care vouchers, medical cards and insurance plans, patients are advised to check with the relevant organisations.
政府照腸鏡補助 - 大腸癌篩查計劃
香港衞生署已於2020年起，全面推行「大腸癌篩查計劃」，覆蓋範圍進一步擴展至50-75歲及沒有症狀的香港居民。仁輝內視鏡及日間醫療中心為「大腸癌篩查計劃參與機構」，參加者需接受大便隱血測試，以檢查大便中是否有看不到的微量血液。政府會資助合乎資格人士進行大腸鏡 檢查，有助預防大腸癌及切除大腸瘜肉，以減低大腸癌的風險。
照腸鏡Q&A
1. Do I need to be admitted to hospital for colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is a simple check-up that can be completed in about half day after the doctor has assessed the patient’s physical condition and considered the procedure could be conducted at a day medical centre.
2. Do I need a referral letter for colonoscopy?
No referral letter is required for specialist services at HKMED, but if you need to apply for an insurance claim, you may need to check with your insurance company for the details of the claim.
3. 大腸鏡檢查前1天可以吃什麼食物？
大腸鏡檢查前一天，建議食用流質食物，如白粥、湯類和無渣果汁。在此期間，應避免食用奶類製品、纖維含量高的食物、油膩或油炸食品、堅果、籽類、粗糙的蔬菜和水果皮。此外，避免飲用含有紅色或紫色染料的飲料，因為這可能會干擾檢查結果。
4. 可以即日進行大腸內窺鏡檢查嗎？
As colonoscopy requires a low-fibre meal of the person 3 days prior to the examination, the bowel needs to be completely cleansed before the such procedure to avoid faecal matters obstructing the observation of the lining of the colon. Therefore, same-day appointment for colonoscopy may not be available. The usual procedure is to arrange an consultation with the doctor to understand the patient’s condition before arranging the appropriate examination and treatment.
5. 「大便隱血測試」及「大腸鏡檢查」哪一種適合我？
A faecal occult blood test is non-invasive and convenient, but it cannot detect polyps and tumors which are not bleeding. The best method to clearly inspect the entire large bowel is through colonoscopy. If polyps are discovered, they can be removed immediately to prevent them from becoming malignant. Before you go for screening, discuss your situation and symptoms with your family doctor to choose the most appropriate method.
6. 大腸鏡檢查後，需要多長時間恢復？
Anaesthesia will be used during colonoscopy to relax during the examination, it takes around an hour to recover after the procedure. In order to speed up the recovery, please rest more and drink plenty of water.
*Please inquire at the Centre for details.
