Colonoscopy in Leipzig

As a specialist, we detect possible changes during colonoscopy and intervene at an early stage - this is fast and gives you peace of mind.

Detecting diseases at an early stage

Good preventive care can save lives

Colonoscopy is the most important examination for the early detection of colorectal cancer. As a screening standard, the examination reduces the risk of disease by up to 90% and, as a result, mortality by 75-90%. In addition, it can also identify other findings, such as chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.

In unserer Praxis setzen wir hierfür auf modernste Technologien, die eine hohe Aussagekraft und einen komplikationsarmen Ablauf ermöglichen.

Your doctor

Dr. Tatiana Gindensperger is a specialist in internal medicine and gastroenterology.

This is how a colonoscopy works

Step 1

Initial consultation

A few days before examination, an informative meeting with Dr. Gindensperger will take place on the premises of our practice. Here we discuss your medical history, explain the colonoscopy procedure and answer your questions. In some cases, we will also draw blood for further diagnostics.

Step 2

Preparation

From the third day before the colonoscopy, you should avoid fruits or vegetables containing seeds and whole-grain bread. On the day before the examination, a light, low-fiber breakfast and a small soup for lunch are still permitted. Finally, in the late afternoon or early evening, the bowel cleansing begins. You will receive the exact plan for this, together with the necessary laxative, during the explanatory consultation in the practice.

As a rule, you can continue to take medication during preparation. Only in rare cases is suspension necessary. Our practice team will explain this to you in case of doubt.

Step 3

Examination

The examination takes about 20-25 minutes. If desired, you will receive sedation so that you will not notice anything about the colonoscopy itself. 

If polyps (benign tumors) are found, they will be removed directly during the examination, and if a biopsy is necessary, it will also be taken for histology.

Step 4

After the examination

If you have opted for an examination with sedation, please bring a pick-up person with you to the practice. For legal reasons, you may not actively participate in road traffic on the day of the examination. This applies to driving a car or motorcycle as well as riding a bicycle. In addition, you should not make any important decisions or sign any documents on this day.

During a separate consultation, Dr. Gindensperger will then explain the findings to you in detail and, if necessary, plan the next steps.

Frequently asked questions

Screening colonoscopy has been part of the German screening program for colorectal cancer since 2002. This examination is recommended from the age of 50. If you have first-degree blood relatives with colorectal cancer or colon adenomas in your family, a colonoscopy may be advisable earlier.

Indications for colonoscopy:

  • unintentional weight loss,
  • unexplained anemia,
  • persistent diarrhea or constipation,
  • Blood in the stool (visible or detected via stool test such as hemocult or iFOBT),
  • Abdominal pain,
  • new-onset fecal incontinence,
  • Control after polyp removal

 

There are additional individually defined reasons for a colonoscopy. We will be happy to advise you on this.

A screening colonoscopy is recommended for everyone from the age of 50. If there is a family history of cancer or corresponding symptoms, a colonoscopy may also be advisable at an earlier age.

We will inform you about all necessary measures a few days before the examination. You usually start the preparation the evening before the examination. In the process, the intestine is prepared with a special solution.

Yes, you can usually eat and drink as usual after the colonoscopy.

The examination reveals inflammatory changes, tumors, polyps (benign growths) and other changes in the intestine.

Due to the gas insufflation into the intestine, there may be unpleasant feelings and slight pain in the abdomen during the examination. After the examination, these discomforts disappear.

If you wish, we can also offer you sedation, which means that you will not notice anything more about the colonoscopy.

We offer sedation. This is not a general anesthesia, but a kind of sleep injection. With sedation, you will not notice anything of the examination. Please note that you are not allowed to actively participate in road traffic or sign important documents yourself afterwards.

The colonoscopy usually takes 20-25 minutes.

Yes, private health insurance usually covers the cost of your colonoscopy.