What happens before the test?
The procedure is usually done in the Endoscopy unit. If your child is already a patient in the hospital, he or she will come directly to the Endoscopy Unit for the test. Otherwise, please arrive in the Endoscopy Unit on the 3rd floor of the Farley building 45 minutes before the scheduled time of the test. It is important that you are on time. If you are late, the procedure may be cancelled.
If you park your car at the Children's Hospital garage, bring your parking ticket with you and have it stamped in the Main Lobby. When you arrive, follow the signs to the Farley/Pavilion elevators. Take the Farley/Pavilion elevators to the 3rd floor. Follow the signs for the Endoscopy Unit.
When you arrive at the Endoscopy Unit, a nurse will greet you and your child to explain the test and answer your questions.
What happens during the test?
- Your child will be brought into the room where the test is done. The test will take about 30 to 45 minutes.
- If needed, the doctor will give your child medicine to help him or her sleep. If your child needs medicine to sleep, he or she will have heart and oxygen monitors on.
- Your child will lie on his or her left side for the procedure. The doctor places a small, soft, flexible tube into the rectum. This tube is attached to a computer. The computer measures how well the rectal muscles work.
- Next, the doctor or nurse slowly inflates and deflates a tiny balloon on the end of the tube. At the same time, the computer records the activity of the nerves and muscles in the rectum. There is no discomfort associated with this. The doctor may ask your child to say when he or she feels the balloon as it inflates. The doctor may also ask your child to squeeze down on the tube or try to push the tube out of the rectum. Again, this is not uncomfortable.
- The doctor will remove the tube when the test is finished.
What happens after the test?
If your child did not receive sedation (medicine to cause sleepiness) for the test, he or she may go home when the test is over. The nurse will review all instructions with you before you leave.
If your child did receive sedation, the nurse will move him or her to the Recovery Area. You will be directed to the Family Waiting Area. From there, a nurse will bring you to the Recovery Area to be with your child. We ask that you do not bring siblings or other young children into the Recovery Area. Children may wait with another adult in the Family Waiting Area.
In the Recovery Area, the nurse will stay with your child and carefully observe him or her during the entire recovery time. When your child is fully awake, he or she may have clear liquids to drink. Generally, children are able to go home about one hour after the test is done. The recovery room nurse will review all instructions with you before you leave.
Patients who receive sedation must have a responsible adult with them when they leave the hospital. Since your child may still be sleepy or unsteady, please arrange to have private transportation to go home. Do not plan to take a bus or the MBTA. If a ride has not been arranged, the procedure may be canceled.
How will we be informed of the results?
The doctor who performed the exam will talk to you about the test results before you go home that day. Your primary GI doctor will give you follow-up care instructions.
When do I call my child's doctor or nurse?
- If your child is sick 24 to 48 hours before the test is scheduled, call the GI/Endoscopy Unit at 617- 355-6172 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Ask to speak to one of the nurses.
- If you have any questions about the test, call the above number.
- For emergencies, you can call a GI doctor 24 hours a day. Call the hospital page operator at 617- 355-6369 and ask for the GI fellow on call.
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