A colonoscopy is an essential diagnostic test that helps doctors check your bowel for problems. It can also find signs of bowel and colorectal cancer early. You may be wondering how long a colonoscopy procedure will take if you’re about to have one. We explain how long a colonoscopy can take and the factors influencing its duration so you feel prepared for your procedure.
What is the average time of a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is when a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end is inserted into your back passage (rectum). This is so that your gastroenterologist can look for any abnormalities. It generally takes between 30 and 40 minutes to complete.
But, you’ll probably be at the hospital for about two hours from start to finish.
Your private consultant will estimate how long your colonoscopy will take, as many factors can increase or decrease the time.
Why does a colonoscopy take as long as it does?
Colonoscopies typically take up to 40 minutes to complete. Although they’re relatively uncomplicated procedures, the consultant mustn’t rush them.
Specialists use colonoscopies to check for early signs of colon cancer or rectal cancer (bowel cancer). They could miss small signs by going ahead too quickly. As with any medical procedure, rushing it could lead to complications that affect your health.
Taking the time necessary to assess your colon puts your safety first and helps to ensure correct results.
What factors influence the duration of a colonoscopy?
Many factors can influence the duration of your colonoscopy. Yet, an experienced consultant will ensure your procedure takes no longer than necessary.
Your medical history
You may have scar tissue or lesions if you’ve had abdominal surgery before, making it harder to see your colon during the colonoscopy. As a result, the procedure can take much longer than planned.
Inadequate bowel preparation
Sometimes, your bowel preparation might not go as planned, making the procedure more challenging to complete – and, ultimately, making it take longer. It may also lead to your appointment being rescheduled.
Polyp (growth) removal or biopsies (tissue sample collection)
The procedure can take longer if you have a polyp removal or a biopsy collected during the colonoscopy.
If your consultant finds polyps you didn’t know you had, they may remove them, which may add extra time to the procedure.
The experience of the consultant
Experienced consultants may perform colonoscopies faster than those with fewer years of experience.
Yet, this doesn’t mean newly trained consultants aren’t experts at performing colonoscopies. It is something to consider and discuss with your consultant.
You can view a consultant’s experience by searching with PHIN to feel confident in your choice.
Sedation with anaesthetic
You don’t need sedation to have a colonoscopy. But, sedation means you must stay in the hospital until you’ve recovered from the anaesthetic’s effects. It may also take longer to administer the sedation, which may increase the procedure’s duration.
How well you can manage the procedure
How you can manage the procedure without sedation will affect its duration. Some people find it uncomfortable, while others may be too nervous to remain unsedated.
Always talk to your consultant beforehand about whether sedation is suitable for you.
Complications
Rare complications may arise during a colonoscopy, increasing its likely duration.
Potential but rare complications that may arise during a colonoscopy include the following:
- Postpolypectomy electrocoagulation syndrome – during a polyp removal, your consultant will cut it away with a special tool that seals (cauterises) it. However, there is a rare risk where the tool goes too deep and causes inflammation of the surrounding tissues. You can manage this with antibiotics for two or three days.
- A reaction to the anaesthetic used for sedation – an allergic reaction to the sedation anaesthetic is very rare. If it happens, the medical team will be fully trained to respond and manage the situation.
- Perforated intestine – the colonoscope could cause a small tear in your colon, which requires surgical repair.
Complications like these are rare and do not occur in most colonoscopies due to the consultant’s and team’s expertise.
Book your local, private colonoscopy with the help of PHIN
Finding the ideal private consultant for your colonoscopy can be challenging independently.
With PHIN’s help, you can discover a local, private consultant using our search tool. You can search by location, speciality and procedure to tailor your results and find the right consultant and hospital for your needs.
By viewing hospital and consultant profiles, you can learn more. This includes the hospital’s rating, patient feedback scores, their specific procedures and the consultant’s potential fees.
For further support, read more about how the PHIN website can help you.
Sources
- Colonoscopy: What happens on the day? NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/colonoscopy/what-happens-on-the-day/. Last reviewed 14 November 2022.
- Colonoscopy. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/colonoscopy/. Last reviewed 14 November 2022.
- Colonoscopy: Why it’s done. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/colonoscopy/why-its-done/. Last reviewed 14 November 2022.
- Colonoscopy. Cancer Research UK. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/tests-and-scans/colonoscopy. Last reviewed 4 August 2022
- Stauffer CM, Pfeifer C. Colonoscopy. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559274/. Last updated 24 July 2023.
- Jehangir A, et al. Post-polypectomy electrocoagulation syndrome: a rare cause of acute abdominal pain. Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3402/jchimp.v5.29147, published 19 October 2015.
