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Have you ever undergone a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy? Or have you been prescribed one of them but are confused between both? A colonoscopy examines the entire large intestine, while a sigmoidoscopy only diagnoses the sigmoid colon. If you want to learn about colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy in detail, you have come to the right place! This article will highlight everything you need to know about a sigmoidoscopy vs colonoscopy.
We shall also highlight the difference between the two. So keep reading this article to find out! Apart from sigmoidoscopy vs colonoscopy, learn the definition, risk factors, and types of colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy.
A sigmoidoscopy is a medical screening test by which a healthcare specialist checks the lower part of the large intestine, known as the sigmoid colon. The sigmoid colon is located near the rectum and anus. The entire sigmoidoscopy procedure usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Based on the sigmoidoscope, sigmoidoscopies generally are of two types:
During the sigmoidectomy, the healthcare specialist performs the following steps:
Sigmoidoscopy is generally considered a safe and well-tolerated procedure. However, as with any medical procedure, there are some pros and cons.
The following are the advantages of a sigmoidoscopy:
The following are the disadvantages of a sigmoidoscopy:
A colonoscopy is a procedure in which the healthcare specialist checks the colon and rectum of the patient using a tube known as a colonoscope.
The colonoscope has a tiny video camera, which provides a clear view of a person’s colon and rectum. The doctors check the video to diagnose any disease or abnormalities of the colon or rectum. This procedure generally takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete.
Based on for what purpose the colonoscopy is being used, it is of two types.
During the colonoscopy procedure, the healthcare specialist follows the following steps:
Colonoscopy is generally considered a safe and well-tolerated procedure. However, it is common to have pros and cons associated with the procedure. Below mentioned are some of the advantages and disadvantages of colonoscopy.
These are the following advantages of a colonoscopy:
These are the following disadvantages of a colonoscopy:
Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are both a type of endoscopy. Moreover, both of them target the same area, i.e. the colon. However, the difference between sigmoidoscopy vs colonoscopy lies in the fact that sigmoidoscopy only targets the lower part of the colon. In contrast, a colonoscopy gives a complete look at the large intestine along with the rectum. Keep reading to learn everything about the difference between sigmoidoscopy vs colonoscopy.
Parameters |
Sigmoidoscopy | Colonoscopy |
Area of Examination |
Lower part of the colon |
The entire large intestine |
The instrument used |
A shorter, flexible tube with a camera on the end, called a sigmoidoscope, which is inserted through the rectum and advanced through the sigmoid colon and rectum. |
A long, flexible tube with a small camera on the end called a colonoscope, which is inserted through the rectum and advanced through the entire colon. |
Ideal candidates |
Sigmoidoscopy is recommended to people:
|
Colonoscopy is recommended to people:
|
Effectiveness | Talking about the sigmoidoscopy effectiveness, a sigmoidoscopy may miss out on certain medical issues, such as colorectal cancer. Hence, it is less effective than a colonoscopy. | Between sigmoidoscopy vs colonoscopy, a colonoscopy is more effective in diagnosing colorectal cancer and other diseases than a sigmoidoscopy. |
Risks |
A sigmoidoscopy has the following risks:
However, a sigmoidoscopy is safer than a colonoscopy. |
A colonoscopy has the following risks:
Between sigmoidoscopy vs colonoscopy, a colonoscopy is riskier than a sigmoidoscopy. |
Time requirement |
Usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. |
A colonoscopy may take up to 30 to 60 minutes. |
Recovery time |
Shorter recovery time, as the procedure is less invasive |
Longer recovery time. |
Prices in India |
₹3,000 to ₹10,000 |
₹9,000 to ₹22,000. |
These were some of the common difference between sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. However, one should note that every medical test has its pros and cons. Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are no exceptions. With that said, people should only undergo the test their healthcare provider suggests.
It is generally recommended to consult a doctor if you have symptoms such as persistent constipation, diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain or discomfort, or if you have a family history of colon cancer. It is also recommended to consult a doctor if you are over 50 years old.
If you have been experiencing any symptoms or if you are over 50 years old and haven't had a colon cancer screening yet, it's important to talk to your doctor about your options. They will be able to advise you on whether a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy would be appropriate for you and when you should schedule it.
A colonoscopy is a more effective medical examination for diagnosing colon diseases. A sigmoidoscopy procedure often misses out on illnesses easily detectable through a colonoscopy. However, sigmoidoscopy has its benefits. For instance, it carries lesser risks than a colonoscopy.
If you’re confused between sigmoidoscopy vs colonoscopy or don’t know which is better for you, consider talking to a healthcare provider. You can also speak to our expert team of experienced doctors at HexaHealth to learn the difference between sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. We also provide top-notch colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy medical tests. Plus, we make sure that you don’t have to suffer pain or discomfort during the entire process. Get on a FREE consultation call to learn more about colonoscopy vs sigmoidoscopy.
No, sigmoidoscopy is not the same as colonoscopy. A sigmoidoscopy only diagnoses the lower part of the colon. Meanwhile, a colonoscopy examines the entire large intestine.
Yes, a sigmoidoscopy is safer than a colonoscopy. The reason being a sigmoidoscopy is less penetrative. Therefore, there is a reduced risk of the colon getting perforated, developing an infection, or bleeding.
If you have developed a problem in the sigmoid colon, your doctor may recommend a sigmoidoscopy. However, if the doctor finds abnormal growth, such as colon polyps, during the sigmoidoscopy, you might also need to undergo a colonoscopy. Moreover, healthcare providers often recommend colonoscopy more than sigmoidoscopy, as it provides a bigger picture of the colon.
Colonoscopies are better than sigmoidoscopies because they:
When a sigmoidoscopy finds polyps, it is more likely that the polyps might also be present in other parts of the large intestine. As a result, a colonoscopy is conducted after a sigmoidoscopy to detect colon polyps further.
The difference between rigid sigmoidoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy is that rigid sigmoidoscopy can only examine the colon up to 25 cm. While the flexible sigmoidoscopy examines the colon up to 60 cm.
Both colonoscopy vs sigmoidoscopy has their risks. The risks involved with a sigmoidoscopy are that it can cause excess bleeding and even perforation of the colon. It can also miss detecting certain diseases. While a colonoscopy can cause bleeding, infection, and perforation of the large intestine.
Last Updated on: 18 January 2023
MBBS, DNB General Surgery, Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery, FIAGES
12 Years Experience
Dr Aman Priya Khanna is a well-known General Surgeon, Proctologist and Bariatric Surgeon currently associated with HealthFort Clinic, Health First Multispecialty Clinic in Delhi. He has 12 years of experience in General Surgery and worke...View More
An enthusiastic writer with an eye for details and medical correctness. An avid reviewer and publisher. She emphasises authentic information and creates value for the readers. Earlier, she was involved in making ...View More
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