Sigmoidoscopy of the lower part of the colon

A sigmoidoscopy of the lower part of the colon can show changes in the colon such as polyps, diverticulosis, tumours or inflammatory conditions.

The examination is performed with a long flexible tube with a camera inserted through the rectum, which may cause bloating and the urge to have bowel movements. you may experience pain, but this is brief and caused by the stretching of the bowel.

Collection of samples and removal of polyps are painless.

The examination lasts approximately 15 minutes and you should expect to spend time on receiving information before and after the examination.

• Vitamins and iron tablets should be suspended three days before the examination.
• All other types of medicine should be taken as usual, also on the day of the examination.
• Please bring a list of the medicine you take.

The colon needs to be emptied before the examination. You empty your colon following this instruction:

Go to the pharmacy and buy a Toilax combination package (contains 4 Toilax tablets and a tube with Toilax rectal fluid).

1. In the evening, two days before the examination, you take two Toilax tablets.
2. In the evening before the examination, you take two Toilax tablets again.
3. In the morning on the day of the examination, you empty the tube with fluid in your rectum. You empty the tube lying on your left side. Keep the fluid in the rectum for as long as possible.

If you have a tendency to constipation, you should also buy laxatives (Toilax or similar). Take two tablets before bed time in the last three days before you start the procedure above.

You are allowed to eat and drink as usual.

You will be welcomed by a nurse when you meet in the clinic. You will be informed about the examination and change trousers.

You will receive the result of your examination before you leave the clinic. If biopsies are taken, the results will be ready in 4-6 weeks.

Problems during or after the examination are rare. There is a very small risk of perforating the colon.

If you experience:

• severe abdominal pain
• bloody or black stools
• discomfort, nausea, or a tendency to sweat
• fever above 38 degrees Celsius
• shivers

you should contact the Emergency Medical Service in the first 24 hours after the examination.

After the first 24 hours you should contact your general practitioner.