“Colonoscopy question”
I am scheduled for my first colonoscopy. Will I need to have general anesthesia for this test?
5 Answers
No. You will have monitored sedation.
You will receive deep sedation. In other words, no breathing tube, but very deep, albeit short sleep, about 15 minutes.
Boris Yaguda, M.D.
Boris Yaguda, M.D.
Colonoscopy:
You do not need any anesthesia at all. Pt's have had colonoscopies without anesthesia watching the entire procedure.
You may not wish to be awake. The procedure is considered painful secondary to the bowels being distended with air (in order to see).
You can use a variety of medications to be made comfortable. Under MAC (monitored anesthesia care) you will still be responsive and know what is happening to you. The medication may make you drowsy most of the day, depending on what is used.
General anesthesia means that you should not feel or remember what is going on for the duration of the general anesthesia. When it wears off, you will wake up. If anesthesia gas is used, there may be nausea or drowsiness during the remainder of the day. If propofol is used the wakeup is mostly very fast and you will feel ready to leave after about 30 -45 minutes.
SAFETY:
if you have no anesthesia, there is no anesthesia risk.iI you have some sedation but are awake and breathing spontaneously there is not much risk from the sedative. if you have general anesthesia or are over sedated during (MAC), the risk of airway obstruction or aspiration (reflux stomach fluid going down into your lungs) are present and increased if you have sleep apnea, or existing airway issues (oropharyngeal tumors, morbid obesity, acid reflux etc.). is elevated.
You do not need any anesthesia at all. Pt's have had colonoscopies without anesthesia watching the entire procedure.
You may not wish to be awake. The procedure is considered painful secondary to the bowels being distended with air (in order to see).
You can use a variety of medications to be made comfortable. Under MAC (monitored anesthesia care) you will still be responsive and know what is happening to you. The medication may make you drowsy most of the day, depending on what is used.
General anesthesia means that you should not feel or remember what is going on for the duration of the general anesthesia. When it wears off, you will wake up. If anesthesia gas is used, there may be nausea or drowsiness during the remainder of the day. If propofol is used the wakeup is mostly very fast and you will feel ready to leave after about 30 -45 minutes.
SAFETY:
if you have no anesthesia, there is no anesthesia risk.iI you have some sedation but are awake and breathing spontaneously there is not much risk from the sedative. if you have general anesthesia or are over sedated during (MAC), the risk of airway obstruction or aspiration (reflux stomach fluid going down into your lungs) are present and increased if you have sleep apnea, or existing airway issues (oropharyngeal tumors, morbid obesity, acid reflux etc.). is elevated.
Most people in the USA undergoing colonoscopy receive moderate to deep sedation with propofol. This enables great procedural conditions along with rapid awakening and little risk of nausea. Placement of a breathing tube or other airway device is rarely ever needed.
For a colonoscopy - sedation with Propofol is used (called General/Deep sedation) - you are asleep, but you breathe on your own. No intubation. In conscious sedation - Versed + Narcotic med - Fentnyl is used.
