Risks of Colonoscopy Procedures

A colonoscopy is done by a physician who inserts a long flexible tube with a camera on one end to view the entire colon. The test is used to screen for cancer or find polyps or other tissue abnormalities that need to be removed. The Mayo Clinic reports that a colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for colon cancer screening. The risks of the procedure are low but increase as we age.

Reaction to Medication

• In some cases, the medications that are used to sedate you during a colonoscopy can have an adverse effect on your health. These medications are used to keep you comfortable and usually make a person very sleepy and may also cause you to not remember or be fully aware of the test. Adverse reactions can result in nausea, vomiting, breathing problems and an allergic reaction to the injection site. In some cases, they can also cause a drop in blood pressure.

Bleeding

• When a biopsy of the colon is done there is a risk for excessive bleeding or hemorrhaging. According to The Journal of American Roentgenology a hemorrhage is the most common type of complication that occurs. This complication occurs in about 1 to 2 percent of patients. Hemorrhaging is usually caused when a piece of tissue is removed. Patients who take blood thinners, such as coumadin or aspirin, are at an increased risk for this complication. This is why many patients are asked to stop taking blood thinners about a week before the test.

Perforated Colon

• There are several different ways a perforation can occur. A perforation in the colon can be caused by the equipment being used for the test. A perforation can also occur when tissue is removed, resulting in a thinning of the colon wall. In addition, air that is used to distend the colon during the test can cause a rip if too much is used and the colon walls are placed under too much stress. This type of complication may require surgery. It can also be deadly if not caught early.

Hematoma

• In rare instances a bruise on the colon or in other organs that lie near the colon can occur. This is usually caused by the physician applying too much force while manipulating the equipment inside the colon. In addition, if a great deal of pressure is applied to areas of the colon that lie next to organs such as the spleen a hematoma to one of these organs can occur. This can be a potentially deadly complication.

Sepsis

• Sepsis is a serious and potentially deadly disease that can occur when the bowel is perforated. Normally, the immune system is equipped to deal with infections that arise. However, with an overload of infectious material leaked into the blood stream, such as when a bowel is perforated, the immune system becomes overloaded. The National Library of Medicine reports that in this instance, the body's immune system will go into overdrive and will result in small blood clots forming and blocking blood flow to vital organs. This condition can result in death if not found and quickly treated.