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Colonoscopy

Overview Risks Results

Endoscopy

What the risks are: The major risks are pain, bleeding, or infection. For gastrointestinal endoscopy, there is also a risk of perforation (tearing) of the intestinal wall. Reactions to the anesthesia may rarely occur, and for this reason your breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen level will be monitored during the procedure. Special considerations: Text Continues Below Endoscopies also can be used to perform therapeutic procedures, including treatment of bleeding lesions and removal of colon polyps. During endoscopic ultrasound, a needle may be inserted into the area of interest in order to acquire a sample of cells. This is called fine needle aspiration.

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