Rigid sigmoidoscopy

1. Rigid sigmoidoscopy is a medical procedure to examine the inside of the rectum and the anus.
2. It is also known as Proctoscopy commonly. The lower part of the colon near the anus is called the sigmoid colon.
3. The rigid sigmoidoscopy can be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
4. It is performed using the rigid sigmoid scope inserted in the rectum.
5. It is done to evaluate the health of the person's rectum and the lower part of the colon.
6. In addition, it helps diagnose haemorrhoids, polyp tumours, and other abnormal growth in the rectum and colon.

What will happen if rigid sigmoidoscopy is delayed?

1. The rigid sigmoidoscopy is used to examine the inside of the anus and the rectum so that causes of inflammation and abnormal discharge from the anus can be detected. It helps in the early detection of irritable bowel diseases so that early treatment can be started. 
2. The tissue samples during the rigid sigmoidoscopy procedure are sent for the biopsy to help detect the cancerous polyps. If the rigid sigmoidoscopy is delayed, cancer may spread to other body parts. Once the cancer is spread and reaches the advanced stage, it becomes difficult to control it and eventually leads to the person's death.
3. Apart from cancer diagnosis, the procedure also helps in diagnosing several diseases, such as strictures, diverticulitis and haemorrhoids. Delaying rigid sigmoidoscopy to diagnose these conditions may lead to disease progression and complications, such as peritonitis, which is a complication of diverticulitis and requires immediate medical intervention.

1. Rigid sigmoidoscopy may be useful in anorectal diseases such as bleeding per rectum or inflammatory rectal disease, particularly in the general practice and paediatrics.
2. For performing the examination, the patient must lie on the left side, in the so-called Sims' position

There are various reasons a rigid sigmoidoscopy is done, such as:

1. To find the source or reason  for  anal bleeding 
2. Before any surgery of the rectum or anus
3. To find the cause of constipation and diarrhoea
4. To look for inflammation in the lower colon or anal area
5. To check and detect the colon and rectal cancer in case there are the symptoms of cancer
6. To detect unexplained weight loss.
7. To check for any abnormal anal discharge.
8. To detect and remove the polyps in the rectum and the anus
9. For screening of rectal cancer progression.
10. To detect the disease in the anal and rectum region
11. To perform the biopsy of bowel disease that is within the reach of the instrument.
12. In case of abnormal bowel twisting.
13. To detect disease of the rectum or colon.

What to expect before the rigid sigmoidoscopy?

1. You may expect the following before the rigid sigmoidoscopy:
2. 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. 
3. The doctor may ask you to stop taking some medicines a week or days before the procedure. 
4. The doctor will also recommend some medicines you need to take a day before the procedure. 
5. The doctor may advise some blood tests and bowel or urine movement tests before the surgery.
6. 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. 
7. 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.
8.  You need to take the enema as prescribed a night before the procedure.

What to expect on the day of the rigid sigmoidoscopy Procedure? 

1. You may expect the following on the day of the rigid sigmoidoscopy procedure:
2. 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. 
3. You should also arrange for a ride back home. Once you reach the hospital, the nurse will explain the complete procedure. 
4. You or your relative will need to sign a consent form to permit you to perform the procedure. 
5. 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:

1. The doctor will ask you to lie on the examination table on your side.
2. 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.
3. Next, the lubricated sigmoidoscope is inserted into your anus.
4. 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.
5. When the air is inserted, you may feel an urge to pass the bowel or abdominal cramping, and the scope is moved.
6. Once done, the doctor moves the sigmoidoscope in the colon to take the images obtained on the externally connected monitor. 
7. Then, the doctor takes the tissue sample from inside the rectum and colon, which is sent for biopsy.
8. In the end, the rigid sigmoidoscope is gently removed from the body.
9. Finally, the anal area is cleaned.

What to expect after the rigid sigmoidoscopy?

You may expect the following after rigid sigmoidoscopy:

1. It takes, on average, 10-15 minutes to complete the procedure. 
2. The rigid sigmoidoscopy is a non-invasive procedure and does not require anaesthesia, so you will be discharged from the hospital on the day of the procedure. 
3. You may feel some discomfort once the procedure is completed. However, you can resume your normal activities right after the surgery. You may feel the abdominal cramp or bloat for some days, which will improve with time. 
4. You may also pass the gas for a few hours or a day which was put into your colon during the procedure. 
5. In some cases, you may also experience bleeding from the rectum. The doctor will prescribe you some medications along with a pain killer in that case.

First follow-up with the doctor

1. The doctor will call you a day after the procedure to discuss the results.
2. f there was a tissue sample for the biopsy taken during the procedure, you would have the first follow-up with the doctor after three days.
3. The samples are taken to the laboratory to check for a tumour or if further surgery is needed.
4. A positive rigid sigmoidoscopy for cancerous polyps will require a colonoscopy.
5. If the results indicate irritable bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, the doctor will inform you and explain the treatment plan on your first follow-up.