Rigid Sigmoidoscopy

Updated: Feb 26, 2024
  • Author: Iman Bayat, MBBS, MRCS(Eng), FRACS(Vasc); Chief Editor: Vikram Kate, MBBS, MS, PhD, FACS, FACG, FRCS, FRCS(Edin), FRCS(Glasg), FFST(Ed), FIMSA, MAMS, MASCRS  more...
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Overview

Background

Rigid sigmoidoscopy is usually performed in an outpatient or theater setting in conjunction with a digital rectal examination (DRE) to facilitate the diagnosis and the management of rectal and anal pathology.

Rigid sigmoidoscopy may have a lower diagnostic yield than flexible sigmoidoscopy does. In one study, 33.9% of the examinations declared normal by rigid sigmoidoscopy were found to include significant lesions when the examination was performed with flexible sigmoidoscopy. [1] Rigid sigmoidoscopy has been found to be a good tool for assessing patients with ulcerative colitis in remission, [2] and it can serve as an alternative to conventional flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy in this setting. 

As a potential means of easing the burden on hospital services and reducing costs, digital rectoscope use was evaluated in a prospective multicenter feasibility study (N = 110) by Lewis et al. [3]  The LumenEye rectoscope with an integrated CHiP platform for remote secondary care review was found to be a safe and acceptable option for triaging lower gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, with a sensitivity of 90.0% for identifying rectal pathologic conditions and a specificity of 88.9%. Subsequently, 48 patients (42.1%) were referred for colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, or computed tomography (CT) virtual colonoscopy.

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Indications

Indications for rigid sigmoidoscopy include the following:

  • Presence of symptoms that suggest anorectal pathology, including colorectal neoplasia; however, some have questioned the diagnostic accuracy of rigid sigmoidoscopy for rectal cancer [4]
  • Prior to anorectal procedures in the clinic or operating theater - A study by Chon et al reported using rigid sigmoidoscopy to manage anorectal stricture with the help of an insulated-tip knife [5]
  • Biopsy of any bowel condition within the reach of the instrument
  • Assessing the true height (distance from anal verge) of rectal cancers [6]  - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been studied as an alternative to rigid sigmoidoscopy for this purpose [7] ; Han et al reported the use of two anal verge markers after rectal filling with gel, followed by MRI, to accurately measure the distance of the rectal cancer from the anal verge and found this newer method to have a good correlation with rigid sigmoidoscopy [8]
  • Conservative treatment of  sigmoid volvulus [9]  - Rigid sigmoidoscopy has been safely employed as a bridge procedure to surgery for acute sigmoid volvulus [10]
  • Gauging the lower resection margin during anterior resection of the rectum
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Contraindications

Contraindications for rigid sigmoidoscopy can be divided into absolute and relative. Relative contraindications can be further divided into surgical and medical groups.

Absolute contraindications include the following:

  • Suspected or known bowel perforation
  • Anal stenosis (technical consideration) [11, 12]

Relative surgical contraindications include the following:

Relative medical contraindications include the following:

Rigid sigmoidoscopy may also be contraindicated in patients who are highly uncooperative, agitated, or particularly anxious. [11, 14]

In some cases, sigmoidoscopy after colonic surgery may be necessary for evaluation of bleeding or obstruction. This procedure appears to be relatively safe in stable patients; however, it is best deferred until at least 1 week after the operation and reserved for clinically important indications. [13, 15, 16]

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Technical Considerations

Anatomy

The rectum lies in the sacrococcygeal hollow and changes to the anal canal at the puborectal sling formed by the innermost fibers of the levator ani. The rectum has a dilated middle part called the ampulla. The rectum is related anteriorly to the urinary bladder, prostate, seminal vesicles, and urethra in males and to the uterus, cervix, and vagina in females. Anterior to the rectum is the rectovesical pouch in males and the rectouterine pouch in females.

The anal canal is related to the perineal body in front and the anococcygeal body behind; both of these are fibromuscular structures.

For more information about the relevant anatomy, see Large Intestine AnatomyColon Anatomy, and Anal Canal Anatomy.

Complication prevention

High-risk patients such as those with valvuloplasties need appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis. [11, 17]  Sigmoidoscopy is safe in patients with even advanced HIV infection. [15]

If sigmoidoscopy following colonic surgery is judged necessary for evaluation of bleeding or obstruction, it should be postponed until at least 1 week after the operation. [13]

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