treatments - sigmoidoscopy

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Having a sigmoidoscopy

• You have been advised to have a test called a sigmoidoscopy to help find the cause of your symptoms.
• This information sheet has been prepared after talking to patients who have had the test.
• If you have any worries please do not hesitate to ask the consultant.

What is a sigmoidoscopy?

• Sigmoidoscopy is a technique by which the consultant can look directly into your sigmoid colon (the last part of your large bowel) to see exactly what is causing your problems.
• It allows samples of tissue to be taken painlessly for testing later.
• The endoscope is a thin flexible tube with a bright light on the end which is passed through your anus and into the sigmoid colon, which is the lower part of the large bowel.
• As with any medical procedure, there is an element of risk involved in sigmoidoscopy.
• According to the British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines, this examination carries a 1 in 100 risk of damage to the lining of the large bowel which may need to be repaired by means of a surgical operation.
• The risk of perforation or bleeding will be increased to 1 in 400 if it is necessary to treat polyps with hot biopsy forceps or a polypectomy snare.
• Another rare complication is having a reaction to IV sedative drugs. This occurs in less than 1% of procedures.
• There may be a risk of bleeding after banding of haemorrhoids.
• There may also be some discomfort.

What should I expect?

• To allow a clear view, the bowel must be clean and empty. This is achieved by taking the enclosed powders. These prepare your bowel for the test.
• If you are having your sigmoidoscopy at the Spire Hospital Bristol please call 0117 980 4074 for instructions on this preparation.
• You must not have anything to eat or drink including water for 2 hours before your appointment.
• If you have any worries or questions, don’t be afraid to ask.  The consultant will want you to be as relaxed as possible for the test and will not mind answering your questions.
• You will be seen by the consultant. Having read this leaflet, please ask for any further explanations before you sign the consent form.
• Please tell the consultant if you have had any allergies or bad reactions to drugs or other tests.
• They will also want to know about any previous endoscopies or operations you have had.
• You will have to remove your lower garments.

During the test

• In the examination room you will be made comfortable on a couch, resting on your left side.
• The doctor will examine you and then pass the sigmoidoscope through the anus and into the sigmoid colon.
• Some air will be passed down the tube to distend the bowel to allow a clearer view. This can give you ‘wind type’ pain
• The amount of air put into your bowel can be adjusted to help ease any pain.
• Sometimes a tissue sample (biopsy) may be taken from inside your bowel for examination in the laboratory.
• This is removed painlessly through the sigmoidoscope using the tiny forceps.
• It is possible to remove polyps during a sigmoidoscopy.
• It will take approximately 15 minutes to carefully examine the sigmoid colon.
• If haemorrhoids are seen these may be examined after the sigmoidoscopy test. To examine these haemorrhoids another shorter instrument, with a light attached, is passed through your anus.The haemorrhoids can be treated. This is done by using a tiny rubber band which is stretched and then slipped over each haemorrhoid. This stops the blood supply to the haemorrhoids and in approximately 7 – 10 days they will fall away. You may not be aware they have come away because they are usually combined with a bowel motion. You need to be aware that some bleeding may be experienced at this stage and if it is more than a couple of teaspoons it needs to be reported immediately to your GPP, or telephone the consultant secretary for advice on 0117 317 1305.
• If you have you haemorrhoids treated today you will need someone to accompany you home, and if you come by car you should  not drive yourself home afterwards.

When do I know the results?

• In some cases the consultant will be able to tell you the results as soon as it is over.
• However if a sample (biopsy) has been taken for examination, the results may take several days, at which point the consultant will contact you.

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