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February 10, 2012
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Sigmoidoscopy (cont.)

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During the Procedure

  • The doctor will have you lie down on your left side with your knees bent and pulled up slightly toward your head.
  • The doctor will examine your rectum first with a finger lubricated with special jelly. The tip of the scope is then lubricated with the same jelly and slowly inserted into your rectum.
  • The doctor will slowly advance the tube through your lower intestine. In order to help the doctor see, a small amount of air and water may be placed in the intestine through the end of the scope. If the doctor encounters a suspicious area of intestine, he or she may remove a small piece of the tissue for analysis. This is done with the same scope and is known as a biopsy.
  • The doctor will end the procedure and tell you the outcome of your study.

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