Adhesions are strands of tissue that form in the body in response to injury. The abdominal cavity is one of the commonest sites where adhesions tend to form. This leaflet explains more about having a colonoscopy, including the benefits, risks, and any alternatives and what you can expect when you come to the hospital. If you have any further questions, please speak to a doctor or nurse caring for you.

A colonoscopy is a routine test to examine the lining of your bowel, also called the large intestine or colon. This is done using an endoscope, which is a flexible tube, about the thickness of a (little) finger, which has a camera and light at one end. It is passed through the anus (back passage) and carefully moved around the large bowel by a specially trained doctor or nurse called an endoscopist.