One serious risk associated with a colonoscopy is the bowel being cut or torn during the procedure leading to a hole.
In a perforated bowel, fluid and faecal material may pass through the hole and flow into the abdominal cavity. Eventually bacteria in the fluid and faecal material may leech into the bloodstream and this could result in severe infections and potentially fatal conditions such as sepsis and peritonitis.
Other complications associated with a colonoscopy include:
- Breathing problems – This is usually caused by a reaction to the sedation, which can impact your heart rate and respiratory function.
- Bleeding – This is common when polyps are removed or biopsies are done. It usually stops on its own, but further complications can occur.
- Abdominal pain and discomfort associated with the carbon dioxide used to inflate the area in order to allow the surgeon to view the internal organs more clearly.
