We have received a request from your referring doctor for you to have an Evacuation Proctogram. This leaflet is designed to give you some information about the procedure, to help you prepare for your examination and to give you some idea of what to expect when you attend.

An Evacuation Proctogram is an X-Ray examination, which enables us to see the structures in your lower abdomen, and the way they move when you attempt to empty your bowel. It is carried out by a specially trained senior radiographer, or a radiologist (a doctor who specialises in x-rays).

We need to find out if you have an evacuation disorder and to help your doctor decide upon the most appropriate treatment.

You should receive an appointment within 4-6 weeks.

If you need to cancel, please contact the department as soon as possible before your appointment, so that we can offer it to someone else.

We try to see patients as near to their appointment time as possible but sometimes emergency cases have to be seen, which may cause some delay.  But do feel free to ask a member of staff if you feel that you have been over-looked.

You can bring something to read or if preferred, a member of your family or a friend could come with you to keep you company whilst you wait for your examination, but they would not normally be allowed into the examination room.

You will be in the X-ray department for approximately one and a half hours which includes the preparation. The test itself takes ten to fifteen minutes.

Approximately one hour before your examination, you will be given a drink of barium liquid. When it is your turn, you will be taken to a changing room and asked to undress and put on a gown.

You will be taken into the x-ray room and asked to lie on the table.  The doctor or senior radiographer will put a small tube into your rectum (back passage). Barium paste is introduced through this tube and into your bowel. You will then be asked to sit on a commode and attempt to empty the barium paste out of your bowel, while the doctor or radiographer takes x-rays.

This part of the test will only take a few minutes. After it is finished you will be free to leave the department.

This examination will help us make the correct diagnosis so we will be able to give you the correct treatment.

We are all exposed to natural background radiation every day of our lives. Each x-ray examination gives us a small additional dose. This dose varies with each type of examination. Everything is done within the x-ray department to minimise this dose.

X-rays may be harmful to the unborn child, especially in the earlier stages of pregnancy. If you are a female of child-bearing age, this examination is not advisable unless one or more of the following apply to you:

• You are taking the contraceptive pill
• You have been sterilised or had a hysterectomy
• You have been fitted with a coil (IUD).
• Your husband or partner has had a vasectomy.
• Your appointment date is within ten days of the start of your last menstrual period.

If you are worried about any of these risks, please speak to your doctor or a member of their team.

Your results will be sent to your own doctor or to the consultant who asked for this test to be carried out within 2 weeks of your examination.

Yes.  This test will not affect your ability to drive.

If you need an ambulance, you must ask your GP Surgery to arrange one, but you will need to give them three working days notice.  Please inform the department if you are arriving by ambulance as we will arrange your appointment time to fit with ambulance arrivals.

The staff will make your examination as easy as possible and will do their best to answer your questions.  Should you have any worries or concerns please make these known to the person conducting the examination or by letter addressed to the Departmental Manager as below.

If a question comes to you after you have left the department, you can contact the appointments secretary on (0191) 2822712 or 2822707 (Monday – Friday 8.45am – 5.00pm) and leave your telephone number. An appropriate member of staff will then return your call.

Wherever possible you should talk to someone who is close to the cause of your complaint, such as the doctor, radiographer, nurse or receptionist. In many cases the matter can be resolved straight away.

The Departmental Manager (RVI/NGH)    

Leazes Wing X-ray Department                             

Royal Victoria Infirmary                                           

Richardson Road                                                     

Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP

Tel: (0191) 282 5624                                            

Monday to Friday 8.45am to 5.00pm

 All Newcastle Hospitals: Switchboard Tel: (0191) 233 6161

If you need to turn to someone for on-the-spot help, advice and support, please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on:

Freephone 0800-032-02-02