Rectoscopy is an examination which enables the doctor to directly view the mucous membrane of the anus and the last part of the large intestine (the so-called colon). The examination is performed with the use of a proctoscope, which is an instrument equipped with a video camera to view the image from the inside of the body. An important benefit of the proctoscope is the ability to evaluate the state of the mucous membrane as well as to collect a small sample of the tissue which is suspected to have lesions for further procedures, and all this during only one procedure. 

Indications for rectoscopy:

  • suspected early state of development of anal cancer and colorectal cancer
  • suspected precancerous state in the form of polyps
  • ulcerative colitis
  • diverticulosis
  • endometriosis
  • pain in the lumbar spine and in the sacral region
  • establishing the reasons for bleeding, diarrhoea, chronic constipation

There is no need to perform additional examinations.

Preparation for the examination

  • If the below-mentioned manner of preparation cannot be used in a given patient, it is the referring doctor who decides about another type of preparation.
  • The day before the examination, late in the evening, you should perform a proctoclysis with the use of ENEMA (the preparation available without presc.ription).
  • On the day of the examination, 3 hours before its start, you should perform a proctoclysis with the use of ENEMA.
  • You can drink fluids on the day of the examination.

Medications

On the day of the examination you should ingest all the medications taken on a regular basis. The exception is drugs lowering the blood glucose levels, used by diabetic patients. The dosage of such medications should be specified by the referring doctor. 

Required information transmitted to the doctor

The patient should provide the documentation of the endoscopic examinations performed earlier and the information sheet from the hospital.You should inform about all the drugs you take.