We offer Ileoscopy at both our Credit Valley Hospital and Mississauga Hospital locations.
Ileoscopy is a form of endoscopy that uses a tiny camera attached to a lighted flexible tube to examine the lower portion of your small intestine (the ileum). The ileum is the last and longest section of your small intestine. The ileum is where most of the nutrients from your food are absorbed before emptying into the large intestine.
Ileosscopy can be used to diagnose:
- the cause of bleeding in your intestine
- Crohn’s disease
- high ileostomy fluid output
Referrals
A referral from a doctor is required.
Resources for Patients & Their Families
How to Prepare for an Ileoscopy
Buy your laxative 1 week in advance of the procedure. You must buy the following laxative:
PICO SALAX – 2 packets
You can buy this at your local pharmacy without a prescription. You must take exactly what your doctor tells you to and not make any substitutions.
One week before Procedure:
Do NOT eat any seeds, or foods/fruits/vegetables that contain seeds for at least ONE week before your test. Examples of foods you must avoid include:
- tomatoes
- seeded breads
- corn
- grapes
- raspberries
- jam
- cucumbers
- watermelon
The Day before your Procedure:
DO NOT have any SOLID FOOD for 24 HOURS before your test. You can only have clear fluids such as tea, black coffee, juice, clear broth, Jello, pop, and water.
At 12 noon, take one packet of PICO SALAX. Empty the contents of one sachet into a mug. Add 150 ml (5 ounces) of cold water and stir for 2 – 3 minutes. Sometimes the reaction of mixing Pico Salax and cold water will cause the solution to become hot. If it becomes hot, wait until it cools down to drink it. Patients should drink about one cup of water or clear fluid every hour while they feel the effects of Pico Salax.
At 6:00 p.m. take the 2nd packet of PICO SALAX and continue drinking water.
Do NOT eat or drink after midnight the evening before the test. You need to have an empty stomach for the test. You may take your usual medications on the morning of the test with a sip of water only.
What to Expect During an Ileoscopy
The flexible scope will be inserted into your stoma and into the ileum. Air will be inflated to better see the lining and biopsies may need to be taken.
