Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

During Flexible sigmoidoscopy, a flexible, steerable telescope is inserted into the rectum to observe the lining of the last 2 feet of the large intestine. The tip of the telescope contains a computer chip enabling the image of the colon to be reproduced on a television screen at the bedside.

Before the test, stool must be cleaned from the distal colon and rectum by inserting a phosphosoda enema (Fleets Enema) 45 minutes and 30 minutes before the examination. The test takes about 5 minutes to perform. No anaesthesia is required, and the examination is usually done in the doctor's office. Flexible sigmoidoscopy reproduces the sensation you feel when you are about to go to the bathroom. Occasionally there is abdominal bloating as well. If any severe discomfort is experienced, the examination is discontinued.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is frequently used to evaluate complaints of rectal bleeding, constipation,diarrhea and pain in the left lower quadrant or pelvis. Flexible sigmoidoscopy is an ideal test to screen asymptomatic patients for colorectal cancerbecause it directly visualizes the area of the colon that is at highest risk for colorectal cancer and polyps. Similarly, sigmoidoscopy is an excellent test for patients who have seen blood in their stool because observable blood almost always comes from the last 12 inches of the bowel. However, sigmoidoscopy should not be used to follow-up on patients who have a positive fecal occult blood test. For these patients, Colonoscopy is the preferred examination.

One of the advantages of using Flexible Sigmoidoscopy for evaluating diarrhea, bleeding and the like is that if an abnormality is seen it can be painlessly biopsied during the examination.