Colonoscopy is the examination of the colon (large bowel) using a colonoscope (long, flexible tube with a camera on the end). The colonoscope is passed into the rectum (bottom) and then moved slowly along the entire colon, while images from the camera are displayed on a television monitor. The procedure takes from 10 minutes to an hour. Sometimes a small tissue sample (biopsy) will need to be taken during the procedure for later examination at a laboratory. Occasionally there is temporary abdominal discomfort after the procedure. A small amount of bleeding from where the biopsies are taken is not uncommon. It is rare that there are serious complications.

A colonoscopy may help diagnose conditions such as polyps (small growths of tissue projecting into the bowel), tumours, ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the colon).

Colonoscopy may also be used to remove polyps in the colon.

All procedures are undertaken under sedation by a paediatric anaesthetist.