What to expect before the rigid sigmoidoscopy?
- You may expect the following before the rigid sigmoidoscopy:
- Your doctor will explain to you how you should prepare for the procedure. Tell your doctor if you had a rigid sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy in the past and when it was done. Inform the doctor about the medicines you are taking.
- The doctor may ask you to stop taking some medicines a week or days before the procedure.
- The doctor will also recommend some medicines you need to take a day before the procedure.
- The doctor may advise some blood tests and bowel or urine movement tests before the surgery.
- Your bowel should also be empty and clean of the waste material before the procedure. Then, the doctor will prescribe the rectal fleet enema for that, which you can purchase from the nearby medical store.
- The pharmacist will inform you in detail about how to use the enema a day before the procedure. Also, if you have any questions, kindly contact your doctor.
- You need to take the enema as prescribed a night before the procedure.
What to expect on the day of the rigid sigmoidoscopy Procedure?
- You may expect the following on the day of the rigid sigmoidoscopy procedure:
- You should eat a light breakfast or liquid diet on the day of the surgery. Kindly reach the hospital at least 30 minutes before the allotted time.
- You should also arrange for a ride back home. Once you reach the hospital, the nurse will explain the complete procedure.
- You or your relative will need to sign a consent form to permit you to perform the procedure.
- The doctor will ask you to change into a hospital gown.
Rigid Sigmoidoscopy procedure
The rigid sigmoidoscopy is performed on an outpatient basis. The doctor may perform the surgery in his/her clinical room. The procedure is performed without anaesthesia. The rigid sigmoidoscopy is performed in the following steps:
- The doctor will ask you to lie on the examination table on your side.
- Then, the doctor will carefully and gently insert the gloved finger into your anus. It is to check for the blockage and to widen the passage.
- Next, the lubricated sigmoidoscope is inserted into your anus.
- The sigmoidoscope consists of a tube and a light which allows the doctor to put some air into the bowel for inflation and see properly.
- When the air is inserted, you may feel an urge to pass the bowel or abdominal cramping, and the scope is moved.
- Once done, the doctor moves the sigmoidoscope in the colon to take the images obtained on the externally connected monitor.
- Then, the doctor takes the tissue sample from inside the rectum and colon, which is sent for biopsy.
- In the end, the rigid sigmoidoscope is gently removed from the body.
- Finally, the anal area is cleaned.