Water Soluble Enema

Your consultant or GP has requested that you attend for an enema examination.

This leaflet is designed to explain what the examination involves. The examination will be carried out in the X-ray department at the James Cook University Hospital or The Friarage Hospital.

If you are unable to attend, please contact us immediately to rearrange. This will allow us to use the appointment for another patient. Telephone: 01642 282639.

What is the examination for?

This is an X-ray procedure performed to assess the large bowel after your bowel operation to ensure there is no narrowing or leaks.

Preparation for the examination

There is no special preparation for this examination.

However, it is advisable to bring a spare:

Stoma bag.
Stoma dressing pad.
Underwear.
A pad (for inside your underwear) in case of any leakage of the X-ray liquid.

Medication

Please do not stop taking any prescribed drugs.

What the test involves

When you arrive at the X-ray department you will be collected from the main reception.

The advanced practitioner will explain what the procedure involves and answer any questions you may have.

If you are happy to proceed you will be given a hospital gown to change into in the adjacent cubicle.

You will be brought into the X-ray room and will be asked to lie on the X-ray table and initial X-rays will be taken.

You will then be asked to lie on your left side and a small soft tube will be placed into your back passage and taped in place.

Contrast (a clear fluid) will be run into your bowel and you will be asked to turn into different positions on the table in order to see the bowel from every angle.

The contrast will then be drained back through the tube prior to the tube being removed.

You will then be escorted to the bathroom where you can use the en-suite toilet and get dressed prior to leaving.

How long does the procedure take?

The procedure takes about 30 minutes, once taken into the room.

If you attend early there is no guarantee that you will be seen before your appointment time.

When will I get the results of the test?

You will not be given the result straight away. The consultant or radiographer will examine your X-rays and send a report to the referring doctor, within 14 days.

Is there anything I should tell the staff?

For patients with ovaries, between the ages of 12 and 55, the X-ray department has a legal responsibility to ensure that this examination is performed within ten days of the first day of your menstrual period.

Please contact the X-ray department if you are pregnant or if this appointment is beyond the ten-day requirement, and another appointment will be arranged for you.

If you have special needs or disabilities, please contact the X-ray department on 01642 282639.

What about transport to the hospital?

Transport has not been arranged for this appointment. If an ambulance is required, please contact your GP at least 48 hours before the appointment date.

Radiation dose and risk

X-rays use ionising radiation which can cause cell damage that may, after many years or decades, turn cancerous. The risk of this happening is very small compared to the normal lifetime risk of developing cancer which is 1 in 2. We are also all exposed to background radiation every day.

The risk of long-term effects is considered when the healthcare team decide whether someone needs an X-ray examination and radiation doses are kept as low as possible. For this examination, radiation dose levels are typically equivalent to around 6 to 12 months of background radiation. The associated risk is less than 1 in 10,000 – very low.

Contact numbers

The James Cook University Hospital

Interventional Radiology and Fluoroscopy

Telephone: 01642 282639

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Email: [email protected]

If you have any worries or concerns, you should contact your GP during normal surgery hours. Outside surgery hours, you should contact your GP’s surgery for the Out of Hours Service number.

Further information is available from:

NHS website

Website: www.nhs.uk

Patient Experience Team

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you would like to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Team who will help you to do this.

This service is based at James Cook University Hospital but also the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Telephone: 01642 854807 / Freephone: 0800 0282451

Email: [email protected]

Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard (numbers below).

James Cook University Hospital

Marton Road

Middlesbrough

TS4 3BW

Telephone: 01642 850850

The Friarage Hospital

Northallerton