Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Flexible sigmoidoscopy is an outpatient procedure that examines the inside of the lower large intestine (called the sigmoid colon). The procedure is used to evaluate bowel disorders, rectal bleeding or polyps, and to screen for cancer.
What is flexible sigmoidoscopy?
Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a routine outpatient procedure in which the inside of the lower large intestine (called the sigmoid colon) is examined.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy is commonly used to evaluate bowel disorders, rectal bleeding, or polyps (usually benign growths). Sigmoidoscopy is also performed to screen people over age 50 for colon and rectal cancer.
During the procedure, a physician uses a sigmoidoscope to view the lining of the rectum and the lower large intestine. A sigmoidoscope is a long, flexible instrument about 1/2 inch in diameter, with a light and tiny camera at its end. The instrument is inserted through the rectum and advanced to the large intestine.
