Flexible sigmoidoscopy what is it

Colon polyps are common in adults and are harmless in most cases. However, most colon cancer begins as a polyp, so removing polyps early is an effective way to prevent cancer. If your doctor finds abnormal tissue, he or she may perform a biopsy. If your doctor found polyps or other abnormal tissue during a flexible sigmoidoscopy, your doctor may suggest you return for a colonoscopy. A health care professional will give you written instructions on how to take care of yourself after the procedure and will review them with you.

You should follow all instructions. If the doctor removed polyps or performed a biopsy, you may have light bleeding from your anus. This bleeding is normal. Some results from a flexible sigmoidoscopy are available right after the procedure, and your doctor will share these results with you.

A pathologist will examine the biopsy tissue. Biopsy results take a few days or longer to come back. Bleeding and perforation are the most common complications from flexible sigmoidoscopy. Most cases of bleeding occur in patients who have polyps removed. The doctor can treat bleeding that occurs during the flexible sigmoidoscopy right away. However, you may have delayed bleeding up to 2 weeks after the procedure. The doctor diagnoses and treats delayed bleeding with a colonoscopy or repeat flexible sigmoidoscopy.

The doctor may need to treat perforation with surgery. The NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public.

Why do doctors use flexible sigmoidoscopy? How do I prepare for a flexible sigmoidoscopy? How do doctors perform a flexible sigmoidoscopy?

What should I expect after a flexible sigmoidoscopy? What are the risks of a flexible sigmoidoscopy? Flexible sigmoidoscopy and biopsy are safe when performed by doctors who are specially trained and experienced in these endoscopic procedures.

Complications are rare, but it's important for you to recognize early signs of possible complications. Contact your doctor if you notice severe abdominal pain, fevers and chills, or rectal bleeding.

Note that rectal bleeding can occur several days after the exam. It is very important that you consult your doctor about your specific condition. Understanding Flexible Sigmoidoscopy What is flexible sigmoidoscopy? Flexible sigmoidoscopy lets your doctor examine the lining of the rectum and a portion of the colon large intestine by inserting a flexible tube about the thickness of your finger into the anus and slowly advancing it into the rectum and lower part of the colon.

What preparation is required? Should I continue my current medications? What can I expect during flexible sigmoidoscopy? What if the flexible sigmoidoscopy finds something abnormal? You might also wear paper shorts with an opening at the back. You'll lie on a bed on your left side, with your knees tucked up to your chest. You don't normally need medication to make you relax while you have the test. The endoscopist will first check your back passage for any abnormalities.

They then gently put the colonoscope into your back passage and up into the large bowel. This is uncomfortable but is not usually painful. They put gel on the colonoscope to make it more comfortable.

The gel usually feels cold. The doctor or nurse puts a small amount of gas and water through the colonoscope into your bowel. This opens the bowel so they can see the lining of the bowel clearly. This can make you feel bloated and like you want to go to the toilet.

Don't worry you won't as your bowel will be empty. You may pass wind during the procedure, this is expected so don't be embarrassed. You might have pain relief using gas and air Entonox. This is a fast acting pain relief breathed in through a mouth piece.

During the test, they take photographs of your bowel lining. If your doctor or nurse sees any abnormal areas they will take tissue samples biopsies.

If you have any growths in the bowel lining polyps , they can remove them with a wire loop they put down the colonoscope. They send samples to the laboratory to be checked by a pathologist.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a very safe procedure but your nurse will tell you who to contact if you have any problems after your test. Your doctors will make sure the benefits of having a sigmoidoscopy outweigh any possible risks. You may have some bloating, cramping or pain in your tummy abdomen after the test. This is due to the gas or air put into the bowel. This should go away after a few hours. Walking around, warm drinks and peppermint water may help you to pass wind.

After having a biopsy or polyp removed, you might have some bleeding. This is usually a small amount and stops on its own within a couple of days. Sometimes people with piles haemorrhoids may have some bleeding after the test.

Very rarely there is a small tear in the bowel wall perforation. If this happens it's likely you need surgery to repair the tear.