Flexible Sigmoidoscopy at The Holly Hospital

What is a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy?

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure to look at the inside your sigmoid colon (last one-third of your colon) and rectum using a flexible endoscope.

What are the benefits of flexible sigmoidoscopy?

A flexible sigmoidoscopy can help to explore possible causes of:

• Bleeding from the back passage
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Unexplained weight loss

Another reason for a colonoscopy may be that you or members of your family have a history of inflammatory bowel diseases (Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease), bowel cancer or polyps. Polyps are extra growth of tissues that are usually benign (not cancers), but if left can sometimes become cancerous. The endoscopist may be able to remove this during procedure.

Preparing for a flexible sigmoidoscopy

If you are taking any blood thinning medication, your consultant should have given you the advice regarding your medications. Otherwise, you may consult the endoscopy pre-assessment team by sending an email to hobkh.endoscopy@nuffieldhealth.com or calling 02089361221 or 02081436352.

You will be given an enema in the ward or your consultant can ask you to take bowel preparation medication. This is to make sure your colon is empty so the endoscopist can have a clear view.

What happens during flexible sigmoidoscopy?

A flexible sigmoidoscopy usually takes about 15-20 minutes. The procedure can be done without sedation but you may also have Entonox (laughing gas) to help you with discomfort or a sedative through a cannula that may be put in your arm or back of the hand to help you relax before the procedure. You may also receive Buscopan to relax your muscles.

The endoscopist will ask you to lie on your left side to start with. You may be asked to lie in different positions to help the colonoscope move into the right position. The healthcare team will monitor your oxygen levels and heart rate using a finger or ear clip and if needed, may give you oxygen through a small tube under your nostrils.

You may feel some discomfort and your tummy may feel bloated because air is blown into your large bowel to help the endoscopist have a clear view.

Your consultant will also be able to perform biopsies and take photographs to help make the diagnosis. They may also be able to remove polyps. Most polyps are removed painlessly and completely during the test.

If at any time you want the procedure to stop, let the endoscopist or your team know. They will end the procedure as soon as it is safe to do so.

What happens after the procedure?

You may feel a bit bloated for a few hours but this will pass. If you were not given a sedative, you should be able to go home after a member of the team has spoken to you and decided that you’re ready. You can resume with your activities as normal.

If you were given a sedative, you will normally recover in about an hour. You should have a responsible adult take you home by car or taxi and to stay with you at least 24 hours. You should also not drive, drink alcohol, sign any legal documents, operate machinery or do any potentially dangerous activities (this includes cooking) for at least 24 hours, and not until you have fully recovered feeling, movement and co-ordination.

The healthcare team will tell you what was found during the procedure and will discuss with you any treatment or follow-up you need. You will be given a copy of your endoscopy report and a discharge advice sheet. Results from the biopsies will not be available until a later date and will be discussed during your follow-up consultation. You should be able to go back to work the next dayunless you’ve been told otherwise.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Information leaflets:

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

Gastroscopy with Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

Banding of Haemorrhoids

Use of Entonox

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy aftercare advice 

Therapeutic procedures offered:

Polypectomy, Endoscopic Mucosal Resection, Banding of haemorrhoids, Argon Plasma Coagulation, Dye Spray, Dilatation, Insertion of colonic metal stent and Botox injection.

Book now

If you would like more information on a colonoscopy please call us on 020 8505 3311 or fill in the form below.