What is a flexible sigmoidoscopy?
The doctor looks at the lining of the lower part of your large bowel to see if there are any growths or disease.
This is done by putting a bendable tube (sigmoidoscope) with a camera attached into your back passage. The tube is then slowly passed into the lower large bowel. Pictures of the inside of your bowel are then seen on a video screen.
You will lie on your side or back while your doctor slowly passes a sigmoidoscope along your large intestine to look at the lining. Your doctor will examine the lining again as the sigmoidoscope is taken out.
You might feel some pressure, bloating or cramping during the procedure. You should plan on two to three hours for waiting, preparation and recovery. The procedure itself usually takes anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes.
What are the risks of a sigmoidoscopy?
There are some risks and complications, which can happen. These include:
(d) The bowel may be punctured.
This can cause leakage of bowel contents into the abdomen.
This is treated by keeping the bowel empty and giving fluids and antibiotics through a drip. Surgery may be needed. This will require a stay in hospital.
(e) Bleeding from the bowel following biopsy.
Sometimes bleeding can happen up to 12 days afterwards. This usually settles without further treatment.
Another sigmoidoscopy may be done to stop the bleeding. Rarely, a blood transfusion and further surgery may be needed if there is a lot of bleeding.
(f) The procedure may not be able to be completed
Due to bowel disease or other problems.
(g) Polyps or cancer can be missed.
To make this less likely, it is important that you follow any instructions to clear your bowel before the procedure
(h) Mostly sedation is not used for sigmoidoscopy.
If it is, very rarely, heart and lung problems may occur such as:
- low oxygen levels
- lowered blood pressure
- higher pulse rate
- pneumonia (caused by vomit going down the lungs)
People with ill health are more at risk. The procedure is immediately stopped if anything happens.
Rarely, drugs may be given to take away the effects of the sedation and at worst, life saving procedures may be needed.
What can I expect after sigmoidoscopy?
You might have some cramping or bloating because of the air entering the colon during the examination. This should go away quickly when you pass gas.
You may get some bleeding from the back passage for a few days after the procedure. You must tell your doctor if this is more than half a cup.
Your doctor will tell you what was found during the examination or you may need to come back for a follow up appointment to discuss the results, and to find out the results of any biopsies.