Proctosigmoidoscopy
Proctosigmoidoscopy allows the diagnosis of:
• Inflammatory diseases
• Origin of bleeding
• Presence of polyps
• Distal colon cancer, among others.
Proctosigmoidoscopy is an outpatient procedure that can be performed under sedation and allows for examination of the final part of the large intestine (rectum and left colon) using a colonoscope (flexible tube with a small camera at the end) that is introduced through the anus until it reaches the sigmoid or splenic flexure of the colon. When performing the examination, the Gastroenterologist will consider whether it is necessary to take biopsies based on tissue findings.
General recommendations
Preparation for the procedure is of vital importance for the correct preparation and performance of the examination requested of you. Remember that it is your treating physician, or the health team that cares for you, who knows your health status and recommends the performance of this examination (indication and relevance), not the Gastroclinic Institute as such.
For technical-scientific reasons and for patient safety, we recommend that you prepare for the exam in the established manner. However, we also suggest that you consult your doctor beforehand , as he or she is the one who knows your health condition and can best advise you on the possibility of doing this preparation, in case you have an illness or are undergoing treatment that cannot be interrupted for fasting.
For endoscopic procedures, patients over 75 years of age, under 12 years of age, or with cognitive disability problems, sleep apnea (those who use CPAP), those who have suffered a heart attack less than six months ago, with psychiatric disorders, genetic disorders, epilepsy and those who use oxygen in their daily lives must report this condition by contacting the Gastroclinical Institute before beginning the preparation, in order to confirm the appointment assignment.
Recommendations for the day of the procedure
Fast for at least 6 hours before the exam time.
A 133 ml Travad enema should be administered rectally 2 hours before the exam and another 1 hour before the exam.
Retain each wash (enema) for 5 minutes.
On the day of the exam you can take all the medications you regularly take for your different illnesses, mainly hypertension, hypothyroidism, depression and/or anxiety.
It is advisable to stop taking, at least 5 days before, medications containing Aspirin, Clopidogel (Plavix), Ribaroxaban (Xarelto), Dabigatran (Pradaxa), Apixaban (Eliquis), Warfarin (Coumadin) or any other medication that has an anticoagulant effect. You should consult with your doctor about the possibility of stopping them and do so with his/her authorization.