Flexible Sigmoidoscopy in Denver, CO

To have adequate time to complete all forms and prepare for the exam, you should arrive at the endoscopy center 1 to 1.5 hours before your flexible sigmoidoscopy procedure. To prepare, you'll put on a hospital gown and connect to technology that watches your pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, oxygen levels, and electrocardiogram during and after the exam.

Once in the exam room, you will lie down on your left on the exam table. The sigmoidoscope will then be carefully placed just inside the rectum. Your GI provider will cautiously advance the scope through the sigmoid colon. A tiny bit of air is inserted through the scope into the colon to help the physician see. Any fluid in the colon post preparation can be rinsed and removed via the scope. Your GI specialist can perform several treatments during the procedure depending on exam results—procedures like biopsies, polyp removal, and control of bleeding. At the end of the process, the scope removes any remaining air or fluid.

Depending on the findings, the procedure typically takes 5 – 15 minutes.
At the exam's end, the patient can return to regular clothes and be released to perform everyday activities. Most individuals are free to drink and eat regularly after their release; however, individualized guidelines regarding activity, eating, and medications will be given before discharge. After the exam, the provider and/or nurse will review the procedure's findings. The patient will also go home with a written report. Our team will inform you of any biopsy results in 7 days or less.

Typically, sigmoidoscopy is a very safe test. In all, adverse side effects experienced by patients are fewer than 1%. Most of the time, complications are not severe, however, should a complication occur, it may call for surgery and/or hospitalization. In advance of the exam, the nursing staff will review a consent form with you. Should any concerns or questions arise, our GI team can review them before beginning the exam.

Bleeding could happen with the removal of polyps and biopsies. Again, a concerning amount of bleeding which might necessitate a blood transfusion or hospitalization is extremely uncommon. Bleeding can happen during the procedure or up to two weeks following if a polyp is excised.

Perforation or puncture of the colon can take place. Your GI specialist may notice this during the exam, or it may not become evident until a short time later. In most cases, a puncture will necessitate hospitalization and surgery. Punctures are an atypical complication, even with polyp removal. You must immediately inform the specialist's office if symptoms manifest after the procedure, like growing abdominal pain, fever, or bleeding.

Like any other procedure, a sigmoidoscopy is not always perfect. There is a small, acknowledged risk that abnormalities, including cancer and polyps, can be missed during the process. It is of the utmost importance to follow up with your providers as instructed and make them aware of any new or ongoing symptoms. Please talk with your Denver Digestive Health Specialists specialist should you think of any concerns or questions.