Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

Digestive Healthcare of Georgia, P.C.

John E Burney, III, M.D.     David M. Gryboski, M.D     Kiran J. Kanji, M.D. W.M. Strain, M.D.   Bryan Woods, M.D.           

Patient Name: _____________________________________

You are scheduled for a Sigmoidoscopy on _________________at___________ AM / PM.
**Please arrive 10-15 minutes early.

AM APPOINTMENT: Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before the exam.

PM APPOINTMENT: Very light breakfast, then nothing else to eat or drink before the exam. NO DAIRY PRODUCTS.

BEFORE THE EXAM: Use 2 fleet Enemas (green box at the drug store)

                                  Use one at 1 ½ hours before leaving for Sigmoidoscopy.

                                     Use second enema 1 hour prior to leaving for Sigmoidoscopy.

*** Take all regular medications as scheduled with a small amount of water.***

After careful medical assessment, your doctor has recommended that you have a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy. During this procedure a flexible fiberoptic tube (sigmoidoscopy) is passed through the rectum into the lower intestine (sigmoid colon). The doctor will examine the lining of the rectum and sigmoid colon and identify and abnormalities.

            During the Sigmoidoscopy procedure, you will lie on your side with your knees bent. The doctor will first examine your rectum with a gloved, lubricated finger. Then he will insert the lubricated sigmoidoscope that will give you a mild sensation of wanting to move your bowels. As the sigmoidoscope is carefully advanced through the rectum and sigmoid colon, the doctor will examine the intestinal for any abnormalities. The procedures usually take 5 to 15 minutes.

            You may feel some mild cramping or gas from air that is introduced during the procedure. You may notice some mild lower abdominal pressure as the scope is advanced through the lower bowel. These sensations should be completely tolerable and not painful.

            If the doctor sees an area that needs evaluation in greater detail, a biopsy (tiny bit of tissue) may be obtained and submitted to a laboratory for grater analysis. You will not feel and sensation or discomfort when the biopsy is performed. If polyps (growths form the lining of the colon which vary is size) are found, they can be biopsied, but usually are not removed at the time of sigmoidoscopy. Polyps are of varying types; certain benign polyps, known as “adenomas”, are potentially precancerous. Certain other polyps (“hyperplastic” by biopsy analysis) may not require removal. Your doctor will likely request that you have a colonoscopy (a complete examination of the colon) to remove any large polyp that is found, or and small polyp that is found to be adenomatous after biopsy analysis.

            Flexible Sigmoidoscopy and biopsy are generally safe. Possible complications include perforations (tear through the bowel wall) and bleeding from the site of the biopsy. Although complications after a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy are rare, it is important for you to recognize early signs of any possible complication. Contact your physician if you notice any of the following symptoms: severe abdomen pain, fevers and chills, or rectal bleeding. It is important to note that a small amount of rectal bleeding can occur even several days after a biopsy.

            After the sigmoidoscopy, the physician will explain the results to you. The results of the biopsy may take a week for the office to receive. You may have some mild cramping or bloating sensations because of the air that has been passed into your colon during the examination. This will disappear quickly with the passage of gas. You should be able to eat and resume your normal activities after leaving your doctor’s office.