A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic test performed by a gastroenterologist to explore your sigmoid colon, the lower part of your colon or large intestine and rectum. Using a flexible narrow tube, with a tiny video camera on the end which is inserted into your rectum, your doctor can view the inside of the rectum, the sigmoid colon and most of the descending colon. He can also take tissue samples, remove any abnormal growths (polyps) or hemorrhoids and screen for cancer.

The flexible sigmoidoscopy and the colonoscopy are screening tests for colorectal cancer. Both require a prep to clear out the colon though the preps do differ. The main difference is that the sigmoidoscopy is a less invasive procedure because it only examines the lower part of the colon and rectum.

Our staff will provide you with detailed instructions for the prep which includes a clear liquid diet the day prior to the procedure and overnight fasting. We also recommend that you self-administer an enema on the day of your sigmoidoscopy. The enema is a safe and effective way for us to see all of your bowel clearly and make the proper diagnosis.

This 30-minute outpatient procedure does not generally require anesthesia. While you may feel some pressure, you should not experience any pain as your gastroenterologist guides the sigmoidoscope into your rectum and your sigmoid colon. 

The sigmoidoscope has a tiny camera and a light at the end to allow us to examine the lining of the descending colon. As the sigmoidoscope advances, it inflates the color with air to optimize the visualization of the bowel and sends the images to a computer for processing.

During the course of the procedure, your gastroenterologist may remove any abnormal growths (polyps) or take a small piece of tissue (biopsy) which will be sent to the lab for testing. Sometimes, the presence of polyps will require follow-up screening tests.