Sigmoidoscopy

What is a sigmoidoscopy?

A sigmoidoscopy is a test that allows your specialist (doctor) to look at the lining of your lower bowel (sigmoid colon and rectum) to see if there are any abnormalities or disease. This is done using a soft, bendable tube called a colonoscope. The colonoscope has a camera and light on the end. Your specialist will insert the colonoscope into your rectum and into the lower bowel. Pictures of the inside of your bowel will then be seen on a video screen.
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Why would I need a sigmoidoscopy?

Your specialist may recommend this test if you have symptoms such as:

  • Bleeding from your rectum
  • Changes in your bowel habit (frequency of your bowel motions, or stool colour, or texture)
  • Anaemia (less red blood cells than normal)
  • If someone in your family has had colon cancer

A sigmoidoscopy can be used to see if you have:

  • Irritated or inflamed bowels.
  • Ulcers or growths (polyps)
  • Diverticular disease
  • Bowel cancer
 
endoscopy hospital
endoscopy unit

What happens during a sigmoidoscopy?

You will be asked to put on a hospital gown and your nurse will take you to the room where you will have the sigmoidoscopy. To help you relax and be as comfortable as possible, you may be given a sedative and a painkiller. The medicine may make you feel sleepy and afterwards you might not remember having the test.

You will be asked to lie on your side or back and your specialist will gently insert the colonoscope into your rectum using some lubricating jelly. Your specialist will slowly insert gas into your bowel through the colonoscope to inflate it slightly to make it easier to see the bowel lining.

Your specialist may pass an instrument through the colonoscope and take a very small piece of the bowel lining (biopsy). This can be looked at under a microscope to identify many conditions and your specialist may take a biopsy even if cancer is not thought to be the problem. If your specialist finds growths (polyps) during the test, they will most likely remove them.

If the sigmoidoscopy is being done because you have had bleeding from your rectum, your specialist may stop the bleeding by injecting drugs, sealing the bleeding area with heat treatment or by using small clips.

Will I need to stay overnight at the hospital?


A sigmoidoscopy is a day-stay procedure, which means you can go home after the test. You must be taken home by a responsible friend or family member and be cared for that day and night, or have someone on hand in case of any problems.

For more information on what to expect before and after your sigmoidoscopy, please click on the links below to download our information pamphlets.

Below are the Specialists Who You Can Book for this Procedure

Dr Janet Ansell

Dr Janet Ansell

Colorectal and General Surgeon

MA, MB, BChir, MChir, FRCS, FRACS

Janet specialises in colonoscopy and the management of all colorectal conditions, including colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, anorectal and pelvic floor disorders. Janet’s expertise is in assessing these bowel conditions, and treating her patients with expert care and judgement.

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Mr Adrian Claydon

Mr Adrian Claydon

Physician and Gastroenterologist

MBChB, FRCP, FRACP

Adrian treats all aspects of gastrointestinal diseases, having a special interest in nutrition and capsule endoscopy. He places an emphasis on providing his patients with a clear understanding of their condition so they can make decisions about their own health management.

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Mr Robert Cunliffe

Mr Robert Cunliffe

Gastroenterologist and Internal Medicine

BSc, BM BCh, DM, FRCP, FRACP

Robert looks after patients with all types of gastrointestinal disorders, and also performs endoscopy, colonoscopy and capsule endoscopy. He has undertaken advanced training in colonoscopy and has a particular interest in inflammatory bowel disease.

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Mr Avi Kumar

Mr Avi Kumar

Specialist General & Lapro-Endoscopic Surgeon

DSM, FRACS

Avi is a specialist general surgeon with a particular interest in treating his patients’ bowel, endocrine and hernia problems with minimally invasive lapro-endoscopic surgery. He has a special focus on developing and refining effective techniques to reduce patient trauma and speed up recovery.

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Mr Mark Omundsen

Mr Mark Omundsen

General Colorectal and Endoscopic Surgeon

MBChB, FRACS

Mark is an exponent of minimally invasive approaches such as laparoscopic and single incision laparoscopic surgical techniques in the management of colorectal diseases, abdominal wall hernia and gallbladder pathology.

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Mr Jeremy Rossaak

Mr Jeremy Rossaak

General and Endoscopic Surgeon

MBChB, PhD, FRACS

Jeremy Rossaak is a General Surgeon specialising in endoscopy and laparoscopy, and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland. One of his concerns is that his patients have all the information they need to make the right decisions about their treatment.

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Mr Barnaby Smith

Mr Barnaby Smith

General and Endoscopic Surgeon

MBChB, FRACS

Barnaby Smith is a general, laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeon with sub-specialist interest in upper gastrointestinal conditions, melanoma, laparoscopy, and hernia repairs. He prefers to use minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy to improve the outcome for his patients.

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Mr Sunny Veerappan

Mr Sunny Veerappan

Gastroenterologist

MBChB, BAO, MD, MRCP

Sunny manages and provides care for patients with both suspected and established gastro-intestinal disorders. He brings the benefit of his extensive training and experience in Ireland and Australia, and specialises in both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy.

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Dr Sean Kelly

Gastroenterologist

MBChB, MD, FRCP

Sean looks after patients with all types of gastrointestinal and liver problems, and performs all aspects of diagnostic and therapeutic gastroscopy and colonoscopy. He has particular interests in inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. 

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