A colonoscopy is an internal examination of the colon and rectum performed using a flexible tube with a video camera. It requires 1-2 days of clear liquid diet and drinking a special solution to empty the colon. Colonoscopies are recommended for those over 50 or those at higher risk of colon cancer to check for cancer, polyps, blood in stool, or other issues. An anastomosis is a surgical connection between two hollow structures used to restore continuity after resection, and was traditionally created using sutures but now often uses staples or glue.

1. Terms of the Digestive
System
Cynthia Gaughan

2. Colonoscopy
• Internal examination of the colon and
rectum
• Usually performed by a gastroenterologist
• Colonoscope- flexible tube with an
attached video camera used in procedure

3. Colonoscopy Prep
• 1 to 2 days of clear liquid diet
• Drinking large quantities of special solution
prescribed by doctor to empty colon
• Loose, frequent stools- It is recommended
that a patient stays at home during this
prep time

4. Who should have a
Colonoscopy?
• Recommended for anyone age 50 and older
• Patients at higher risk for colon cancer,
such as African Americans and people with
a family history should consider scheduling
one sooner

5. Reasons to have a
Colonoscopy
• Check for cancer or
polyps
• Check for cause of
blood in stool or dark
stool
• Check for cause of
chronic diarrhea
• Check for cause of iron
deficiency anemia

6. Bite-wing X-ray
• A type of dental x-ray
• T-shaped with a bite tab
• Placed on interior side of jaw
• Patient bites down on tab to hold in place
• Shows upper and lower back teeth and
how they touch each other in a single view

7. Reasons for Bite-wing
X-ray
• Check for tooth decay
between teeth
• Check tooth alignment
• Check for periodontal
disease
• Check for bone loss
when gum disease or
infection are present

8. Lavage
• Common names- Stomach pumping or
Gastric irrigation
• Used when a patient has ingested poison,
overdosed on drugs or alcohol, or before
surgery to clear contents of digestive tract

9. Steps of Lavage
• Passage of tube via mouth or nose to
stomach- must make sure tube has entered
the stomach and not the lung
• Sequential administration and removal of
small volumes of liquid (water or saline)
• Repeat until fluid shows no further gastric
contents

10. Complications of
Lavage
• Aspiration pneumonia
• Laryngospasm
• Hypoxia
• Bradycardia
• Epistaxis
• Water intoxication

11. Anastomosis
• Surgical connection between two hollow
structures
• Used to restore continuity after resection
(removal of part of organ or gland)
• In the past, sutures were more commonly
used to create the connection. Now
mechanical staples and biological glues are
popular

12. Uses for Anastomosis
• Treatment for colon
cancer, including
colostomy (opening
created between bowel
and skin)
• Bariatric surgery,
whether gastrectomy or
resection and rerouting
of the small intestine to
a small stomach pouch