heiders33 wrote:... Any experiences with thinner scopes that you would be willing to share?
O Stoma Mia wrote:JudeD59 wrote:I'm the type person who has less anxiety if I have a very clear picture of what to expect with procedures. I'm scheduled for my leak test on February 10th, so if anyone would be willing to take the time to give a detailed description of exactly what to expect, I would greatly appreciate it...
The leak-test session had two objectives:
- Anastomosis patency check: In this phase, they try to determine if the anastomosis has a large-enough opening. Phase 1. In this phase, they give a mild sedative and use a small pediatric colonoscope to see if it is possible for the small colonoscope to reach the other side of the anastomosis. In other words, it is a check to see if the anastomosis has any opening at all, or if it has been completely closed off by scar tissue or adhesions. If this test is successful (i.e., they are able to push the pediatric colonoscope through to the other side) they then proceed to Phase 2. In Phase 2 they increase the dose of the sedative so that the patient won't feel anything from this point onward. After the sedative has taken effect, they then attempt to pass a normal-size adult colonoscope through the opening that they just found earlier using the pediatric colonoscope. If they manage to get the adult colonoscope to go all the way through, then the test is successful. If not, then the test fails and they postpone the reversal until they can do something about increasing the size of the opening. (The opening must be large enough to accommodate an adult colonoscope, because colonoscopies will be required later on, and every three years subsequently. If the opening is not large enough, they will need to do the repairs now, not later.)
- Leak test: If the above tests are successful, then they do the set-up for the leak test. I think the way it works is like this (but I don't know for sure, since I was under heavy sedation from this point onward): They insert a special catheter that has an inflatable balloon at the end. When they inflate the balloon, the catheter then serves as a plug that prevents anything from coming out during the leak test. They then use the catheter to force contrast solution up into the rectal area, far enough to fill up the anastomosis and the neo-rectum area. When this part of the colon/rectum is full of contrast solution, then they use some kind of portable X-ray machine or fluoroscope to check whether any of the contrast liquid has escaped from the colon. If they don't see any leaks on the image, they then release the clamp on the catheter to allow the contrast fluid to escape. After all of the fluid has drained out, they then deflate the balloon completely so that they can gently remove the catheter. I think they also have something like a bed-pan there to handle any fluid that may come out after the catheter has been removed. The nurses handled all of the clean up necessary, and when I finally woke up from the anaesethesia, the doctor told me that the test had been successful and that I was ready to be discharged.
This is what I remember about my experience. It may be a different procedure in your case.
Return to “Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum”
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 164 guests