Flexible Sigmoidoscopy in Houston, TX

Please plan to arrive at our office or endoscopy center 1 – 1.5 hours prior to your flexible sigmoidoscopy exam. This is to allow time to complete paperwork and get ready for the procedure. You'll be directed to don a medical gown. Usually, no IV will be started since, in most cases, sedation is not needed with this procedure. You may be connected to equipment that will allow the staff and provider to monitor your pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, oxygen levels, and electrocardiogram throughout and following the exam.

Once in the exam room, you'll be directed to lie on your left side on the stretcher. The specialist will perform an exam of your rectum. The sigmoidoscope will then be gently inserted into the rectum. The scope will be slowly advanced through the sigmoid colon. A small amount of air is inserted by way of the tube into the colon so the physician can see the area better. Any liquid still in the colon post-preparation can be rinsed and suctioned out by the scope. Depending on the results of the exam, a few complications can be taken care of during the exam, including removal of polyps, control of bleeding, and biopsies. At the conclusion of the procedure, as much of the air and remaining fluid as possible is suctioned out of the colon via the scope. Depending on the results, the test takes approximately 5 – 15 minutes to complete.

Since sedation is not usually needed, most patients are able to chance back into their clothes and exit the endoscopy unit shortly after the flexible sigmoidoscopy. If sedation is not administered, you'll be allowed to perform your normal activities as well as drive. Most people are free to eat and drink normally after their discharge from the endoscopy center, but your health team should provide specific instructions for you before you leave. After the exam, the nurse and/or doctor will review the results of the exam with you. You will also go home with a written report. You will be made aware of any biopsy results in 7 days or less.

By and large, sigmoidoscopy is a very safe procedure. In all, complications are experienced by fewer than 1% of patients. The majority of complications are not serious. That being said, if a complication occurs, it might necessitate surgery and/or hospitalization. In advance of the exam, a consent form will be discussed with you by the staff. If any questions or concerns arise, these can be reviewed with your provider before the beginning of the procedure.

It's possible for bleeding to occur if your procedure includes a biopsy or polyp removal. If you do experience bleeding, it's very unlikely to be dangerous enough to require a blood transfusion or a hospital stay. However, bleeding has been known occur at the time of the procedure or for as long as two weeks after the test in the case that a polyp is removed.

Perforation or puncture of the large intestine can occur. This may be spotted during the exam, or it may not become obvious until later in the day. In most cases, a puncture will require hospitalization and surgery. This is a rare complication, even when polyps are extracted. It is of the utmost importance that the patient reach out to their specialist's office promptly if symptoms manifest following the exam like growing abdominal pain, fever, or bleeding.

Just like any other test, a sigmoidoscopy is not flawless. There is a slight, accepted chance that abnormalities including polyps and cancers can be overlooked at the time of the procedure. It is crucial to continue to maintain check-ups with your providers as advised and make them aware of any new or recurring symptoms. Please discuss it with your Gastroenterology Consultants specialist in the event that you have any questions or concerns.