Colonoscopy

We would like to inform our esteemed patients that in the present public health situation, the endoscopic examination will be performed in the presence of a negative Covid antigen rapid test.

The Covid antigen rapid test is provided free of charge by the Buda Health Center to the patients participating in the endoscopic examination.

What is colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy means an examination of the colon by means of an optical device called an endoscope. It is currently the state-of-the-art and most accurate examination method used for diagnosing colorectal diseases (inflammations, polyps, tumors, hernias of the intestinal wall). During the examination, histological sampling, with which a definitive histopathological diagnosis can be established, is also possible. Colonoscopy (colonoscopia in Latin) is also the most effective method for the early detection of colon cancer. This is important, because the early detection and removal of polyps may prevent the development of colon cancer. Furthermore, it is useful in identifying so-called early cancer stages that do not yet cause any complaints or symptoms and from which the chance of recovery is close to 100%. Colonoscopy

How do you apply for a colonoscopy procedure?

As a first step, make sure to book an appointment for an examination at our gastroenterology specialist clinic. Our specialist will interrogate you in detail and examine you, and may recommend additional diagnostic procedures to be performed, if necessary (which not may just be an examination in front of the mirror!). It is important that, if your specialist recommends an intervention to be performed under anesthesia, you will also need to undergo additional tests beforehand, which our doctor will tell you about in detail. Not all gastroenterology specialists may perform endoscopical (colonoscopy) procedures – please be sure to check this on the page "Gastroenterology - Endoscopy" before registering.

Appointments, Payment

Dear patient! For colonoscopy procedures, please make an appointment by phone or at the reception in person. The appointment can be made by paying an advance payment of HUF 38,000, which we ask you to pay directly at the reception in cash or by credit card. In case of telephone appointment booking, resp. upon request we will send a fee request by e-mail and you can pay the deposit by bank transfer. If it is not received within 48 hours of the request being sent, the date will be canceled. After completing the intervention, the amount of the advance will be deducted from the final account.

We would like to inform you if you cancel the examination within 72 hours before the date of the intervention or if you do not show up without cancellation, we will unfortunately not be able to refund the amount of the deposit.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

What preparations are needed before undergoing a colonoscopy procedure?

Pre-procedural fasting and bowel cleansing are critical to the success of colonoscopy. If the colon is not clean enough, it may prolong the duration of the examination, increase the risk of complications, and reduce the accuracy of the diagnosis. Your doctor will prescribe special preparatory medication for you, and you will be given verbal and written instructions on how to use it.

What can you do to make the preparation a success?

It is important that, if your specialist recommends an intervention to be performed under anesthesia, you will also need to undergo additional tests beforehand, which our doctor will tell you about in detail.

Blood sampling and ECG are essential before anesthesia. If you have such test results that have been obtained within the past 6 weeks and your doctor finds them acceptable, these tests need not be repeated. Of course, before anesthesia, your anesthesiologist will examine you and review your findings.

If you have any chronic illnesses (such as heart disease, diabetes, etc.) that may constitute a risk for anesthesia, your doctor will propose a pre-procedural consult with your anesthesiologist to decide whether you can be anesthetized and if so, what additional preparatory measures will be needed.

You should not drink any liquid (not even water) in the 4 hours before the procedure performed under anesthesia.
If you are taking anticoagulants, please tell your examining doctor in advance.

How is colonoscopy done?

During the examination, a special instrument called a colonoscope is inserted into the colon through the anus. A colonoscope is a long, thin, flexible tube that is also fitted with a light source and a video camera. The examined section of the gastrointestinal tract is shown in a blown-up image on the screen. During colonoscopy, the person carrying out the examination will thoroughly examine the colon and, if necessary and technically feasible, the final section of the small intestine. Histological sampling of the lesions found is also performed as required. The examination usually takes 15 to 30 minutes to complete.

If performed when you are awake, the examination may be painful, due to the air being blown into your bowels and the probe passing through the winding sections of the colon.

The test is completely painless if performed under anesthesia. The Intensive Care Unit of the Buda Health Center guarantees a hospital-level standard of competence and safety in anesthesia.

Examinations are performed by our specialists on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 PM. If no complications occur, the patient can go home with an accompanying person on the same day after the procedure. (However, he/she must not drive a car yet.)

Where is colonoscopy carried out?

In the Endoexpert endoscopic laboratory of the Buda Health Center. Our unit is equipped with state-of-the-art Fujinon video endoscopes, an endoscope washing machine that guarantees safe disinfection, and the equipment needed for anesthesia, as well as all the necessary medications. Buda Health Center is the first private health care institute in Hungary to have this modern system, which makes colon examinations more effective than ever before. Examinations are performed by experienced professionals who are specialists recognized in this field, and the safety of patients is guaranteed by a hospital environment and anesthesiology and ICU support.

We acknowledge dr. Pál Demeter's contribution to this article.