Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Foreword by Professor Lord Ara Darzi KBE
- Preface
- Section 1 Perioperative care
- Section 2 Surgical emergencies
- Section 3 Surgical disease
- Section 4 Surgical oncology
- Section 5 Practical procedures, investigations and operations
- Urethral catheterization
- Percutaneous suprapubic catheterization
- Vascular access
- Arterial cannulation
- Central line insertion
- Lumbar puncture
- Airway
- Chest drain insertion
- Thoracocentesis
- Pericardiocentesis
- Nasogastric tubes
- Abdominal paracentesis
- Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL)
- Rigid sigmoidoscopy
- Proctoscopy
- Oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD)
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP)
- Colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy
- Local anaesthesia
- Regional nerve blocks
- Sutures
- Bowel anastomoses
- Skin grafts and flaps
- Principles of laparoscopy
- Section 6 Radiology
- Section 7 Clinical examination
- Appendices
- Index
Rigid sigmoidoscopy
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 July 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Foreword by Professor Lord Ara Darzi KBE
- Preface
- Section 1 Perioperative care
- Section 2 Surgical emergencies
- Section 3 Surgical disease
- Section 4 Surgical oncology
- Section 5 Practical procedures, investigations and operations
- Urethral catheterization
- Percutaneous suprapubic catheterization
- Vascular access
- Arterial cannulation
- Central line insertion
- Lumbar puncture
- Airway
- Chest drain insertion
- Thoracocentesis
- Pericardiocentesis
- Nasogastric tubes
- Abdominal paracentesis
- Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL)
- Rigid sigmoidoscopy
- Proctoscopy
- Oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD)
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP)
- Colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy
- Local anaesthesia
- Regional nerve blocks
- Sutures
- Bowel anastomoses
- Skin grafts and flaps
- Principles of laparoscopy
- Section 6 Radiology
- Section 7 Clinical examination
- Appendices
- Index
Summary
Definition
Rigid sigmoidoscopy is a visual examination of the distal sigmoid colon and rectum using a rigid tube with a light source, called a sigmoido-scope. It consists of an outer hollow plastic or metal tube, an introducer which is withdrawn after the instrument has been inserted, and a light source. There is a hand pump connected by tubing so air can be insufflated to open up the bowel lumen ahead of the instrument.
Indications
Rigid sigmoidoscopy is indicated in the investigation of rectal bleeding. It can be used as a vehicle for biopsy of the rectum, for example in suspected inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer. It can also facilitate decompression and reduction of sigmoid volvulus.
Procedure
PRE-PROCEDURE CONSIDERATIONS
▪ Ask the patient to evacuate the rectum, or clear it by administering glycerine suppositories or an enema prior to the procedure.
▪ Explain the procedure, including the reasons why you are doing it and the fact that it should cause only minor discomfort. Warn the patient they may experience the urge to defaecate or pass flatus during the procedure. Verbal consent is sufficient.
▪ Check your equipment, including light source.
▪ Position the patient correctly in the left lateral position, hips flexed and buttocks extending over the edge of the examination couch.
▪ Ensure adequate lighting.
▪ Inspect the perianal skin then perform a preliminary digital rectal examination to ensure nothing is blocking the rectum, followed by proctoscopy.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Hospital SurgeryFoundations in Surgical Practice, pp. 643 - 645Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009