Denny’s Story: Investing In His Health With Colonoscopy

When Denny Kremer’s doctor told him about new equipment being used for colonoscopy, he was more than willing to give it a try.

Denny, a Troy resident, last had a preventive care colonoscopy 10 years ago at a facility near his home. “It was not the most pleasant of experiences. I had considerable discomfort after the procedure with a lot of trapped air for a few hours afterward,” he recalled.

During his pre-procedure appointment at Hyatt Center in 2012, gastroenterologist Fayez D. Abboud, MD of Premier Gastroenterology Specialists, told Denny about the endoscopic insufflator. By using CO2 instead of compressed air to expand the colon, the equipment promotes more comfort for the patient.

Denny opted for the new equipment at Hyatt Center – and is glad he did. “I had virtually no discomfort this time. I felt great from the moment I came out of anesthesia in the recovery area,” he recalled. “I was told to take it easy and not to exert myself the rest of the day, but felt like I could have gone right out and mowed the lawn.”

Denny, who works as a project engineer, said he would encourage anyone hesitant about having a colonoscopy to push aside concerns, especially now with the availability of the new equipment. “I think this step in preventive care is a good investment in one’s health and peace of mind. We have a big family with lots of grandchildren and I want to be around to enjoy them and to be a part of their lives,” he said.

Why the Endoscopic Insufflator Improves Comfort

The CO2 endoscopic insufflator is available at the Upper Valley Medical Center in Troy and Upper Valley Medical Center’s Hyatt Surgery Center in Tipp City for use in endoscopies of the colon or stomach.

The equipment uses CO2, which is lighter than air, instead of the previously used compressed air to inflate the study area, such as the colon, so the physician can see the condition inside. The CO2 is absorbed harmlessly into the patient’s system. When air is used instead of CO2, the excess air has to be expelled.

“The CO2 is absorbed up to 150 times faster by the body so you feel better, you have no bloating, minimal gas,” said Jane Campbell, RN, manager of the Upper Valley Medical Center surgery staff. While a laxative preparation is still required for a colonoscopy, the endoscopic insufflation with CO2 makes the day of procedure more comfortable.

“We have had patients who had procedures prior to and then with the CO2 and they reported a much better experience,” Campbell added. “If you are putting off your colonoscopy, now is the time to go ahead.”

“We are very pleased to be the first facility in the area to use CO2 to achieve maximum patient comfort for colonoscopy,” said Dr. Abboud. “Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among American men and women, and is probably the easiest to prevent through screening such as colonoscopy,” Dr. Abboud noted. Most colon cancers develop as small polyps, which are small, benign growths in the colon that cause no symptoms. “Our goal is to prevent colon cancer from ever starting by removing these polyps early,” Dr. Abboud said.

All males and females over age 50 should be evaluated and screened for colon cancer (African Americans over age 45). A colonoscopy every 10 years is the most effective method of screening. Patients with a history of colon polyps or a family history of colon cancer should undergo more frequent screening.

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