Definition of Sigmoidoscopy, flexible

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Sigmoidoscopy, flexible: Inspection of the inside of the rectum and lower part of the colon using a thin flexible lighted tube (a flexible sigmoidoscope). This procedure may be done to find the cause of diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, intestinal bleeding or look for polyps or cancer. With flexible sigmoidoscopy, the physician can see bleeding, inflammation, abnormal growths, and ulcers in the descending colon ,sigmoid colon and rectum. Flexible sigmoidoscopy is not sufficient to detect polyps, cancer, or other abnormalities in the ascending or transverse colon (two-thirds of the colon).