Colonoscopy

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The colon, also called the large intestine or bowel, is the lower five to seven feet of the digestive tract. The colon turns intestinal waste into solid stool and assists in eliminating this material from the body.

After you swallow food, it travels from the mouth through the esophagus to the stomach. Once broken down, the food moves from the stomach to the small intestine. The small intestine takes the nutrients from food, and the remaining indigestible portion moves into the colon. The colon stores the waste until the next bowel movement removes it from the body.

A colonoscopy is a safe, effective procedure, which visually examines the lining of the colon and rectum using a long, flexible, tubular instrument attached to a camera and video monitor. It is used to diagnose colon and rectal problems, perform biopsies and remove colorectal polyps. The procedure usually takes less than an hour. There is little pain; however mild sedation is given when necessary to relieve anxiety and discomfort. Click here to learn more about endoscopy.

With a colonoscopy, it's possible to detect and remove most polyps without abdominal surgery. A Colonoscopy is more accurate than x-rays in detecting polypos or early cancer. Polyps can usually be removed during the exam, a major step in the prevention of colorectal cancer. Many other disorders of the colon may also be identified including diverticular and inflammatory bowel disease. With any invasive procedure there are potential risks. The two most significant are bleeding and perforation. These are rare and usually identified during or shortly after the procedure. To schedule an appointment for a colonoscopy, please call 1-866-OCHSNER, or consult with your primary care physician.

Your health care provider may recommend a colonoscopy if you have a change in bowel habits or bleeding. A colonoscopy is the best screening test for colorectal cancer. Other indications for colonoscopy include the following:

Evaluation of unexplained abdominal symptoms
Diagnosis or evaluation of inflammatory bowel disease (colitis)
Verify or treat findings of polyps or tumors located with radiologic studies (barium enema, CT scans, PET scans, or “virtual colonoscopy / colonography”)
Evaluate patients with tests positive for blood in their stool
Monitor patients with a history of colon polyps or cancer or with a family history of colon cancer or polyposis

At Ochsner, a colonoscopy is performed by physicians in the Departments of Colon and Rectal Surgery and Gastroenterology.

Any Ochsner providers can order a colonoscopy. Once ordered, the patient will be contacted by one of our Endoscopy Scheduling Nurses who will discuss your medical and insurance issues as well as provide instructions on the preparation. Additional information can be obtained by calling the Colon and Rectal Surgery Department at 504-842-4060 or Gastroenterology Department at 504-842-4015.

The bowel must first be thoroughly cleared of all residue. As described below the preparation may be done in several ways. An intravenous line is inserted to allow administration of the sedative and pain medication. The colonoscope is inserted and advanced throughout the colon. During the examination, your physician may take pictures and will remove polyps or take biopsies as necessary. Following the colonoscopy, there might be slight discomfort, which quickly improves with the expelling of gas. Most patients can resume their regular diet later the day of the procedure. A friend or family member will need to drive you home because of the sedatives used during the procedure. You will not be allowed to provide your own transportation. Your physician will inform you of the initial results of the procedure. Biopsy results will not be available for several days and will be communicated to you by phone and letter. Your referring physician will also be informed.

To clean out your colon, you will need to complete a bowel preparation prior to the procedure. The prep’s job is to quickly eliminate solid and liquid waste from the digestive tract leaving a clean colon that your physician can examine. Several preparations are available that flush out the colon using different methods:

Instructions for Colonoscopy Prep:

After office hours (5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.) you may call 504-842-3000 to speak with the On-Call resident for Colon and Rectal Surgery or Gastroenterology (depending on which type of physician is scheduled to perform your procedure).

Baton Rouge Patients (Ochsner Medical Center - Baton Rouge)

Instructions for Colonoscopy Prep

Instructions for General Endoscopy and Upper Endoscopy

Endoscopy Instructions

Prep Instructions for Heartburn Center

New Orleans Patients (Ochsner Medical Center on Jefferson Highway)

Kenner Patients (Ochsner Medical Center-Kenner)

General Endoscopy Instructions
Instructions for Colonoscopy Prep

New Orleans Area
- To schedule a procedure: 504-842-4030
- To contact the Colon and Rectal Surgery Department at 504-842-4060
- To contact the Gastroenterology Department at 504-842-4015
- Saturday appointments are available*
Baton Rouge
- To schedule a procedure: 225-388-6280
- To contact the Baton Rouge Endoscopy Unit: 225-755-4531
- Ochsner Health Center - O’Neal: 225-754-5023
- Ochsner Medical Complex - The Grove: 225-726-5200
- Patients can schedule this appointment via MyOchsner (link to my.ochsner.org), or they can call the Endoscopy Scheduling department, at 225-388-6280.
- Please contact 225-388-6280 between Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to schedule a pre-admit testing appointment with a nurse or to schedule a screening colonoscopy.
Kenner
- To schedule a procedure: 504-842-8749
- To contact the Kenner Endoscopy Department: 504-464-8148
- To contact the Ochsner Gastroenterology Department: 504-464-8588
- To contact the LSU Gastroenterology Department: 504-464-8500