What is a flexible sigmoidoscopy?

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure to look at the inside of the left lower part of your colon using a flexible endoscope (camera).

What are the benefits?

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is performed so that your healthcare team can find out why you are experiencing particular symptoms. The results will help them decide what treatment you may need.

Another reason for a flexible sigmoidoscopy may be because you have an inflammatory bowel disease or polyps.

If the endoscopist finds a problem, they can perform biopsies to help make the diagnosis.

Are there any alternatives?

A colonoscopy is similar to a flexible sigmoidoscopy but the endoscopist looks all the way round your large bowel during a colonoscopy and it has slightly higher risks.

Other options include a CT colonography. If your doctor finds the cause of your symptoms, you may still need a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to treat it or perform biopsies.

What will happen if I decide not to have the procedure or the procedure is delayed?

Your healthcare team may not be able to confirm what is causing your symptoms, and they may get worse.

What does the procedure involve?

A flexible sigmoidoscopy usually takes 15 to 20 minutes.

Your endoscopist will put a gloved and lubricated finger into your back passage to check for any problems. They will then place a flexible endoscope into your back passage.

The endoscopist will be able to look for what is causing your symptoms. They may also be able to remove polyps.

Biopsies are taken using tiny forceps that are passed through the endoscope.

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Complications of a flexible sigmoidoscopy

• incomplete procedure
• breathing difficulties or heart irregularities
• rarely, a heart attack or stroke can happen if you have serious medical problems
• allergic reaction to the equipment or medication
• infection
• missed diagnosis
• heavy bleeding if a polyp is removed
• making a hole in your large bowel
• bleeding from a biopsy site or from minor damage caused by the endoscope
• rarely, a heart attack or stroke
• death

What happens after the procedure?

If you were not given a sedative, you should be able to go home after a member of the healthcare team has spoken to you and decided you are ready. If you were given a sedative, you will usually recover in about an hour, but this depends on how much sedative you were given.

The healthcare team will tell you the results of the procedure and talk to you about any treatment or follow-up care you may need.

You should be able to return to work the next day unless you are told otherwise.

Summary

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is usually a safe and effective way of finding out if there is a problem with the lower part of your large bowel.

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