Proctoscopy
The Proctoscopy is an invasive method for the study of the anal canal and lower rectum in proctology diseases . Other methods of examining the mast or colon are rectoscopy , rectosigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy .
preparation
Preparing for the exam is easy, only the rectum needs to be emptied. To do this, the patient tries to empty his bowel in a natural way, only if this does not succeed, then about an hour before the examination, a laxative in the form of an enema or suppository is given, which causes bowel evacuation within 15 to 30 minutes . No further preparation is necessary for this examination.
Some doctors generally do proctoscopic examinations without colon cleansing in order to avoid irritation of the intestinal mucosa from laxatives. A small amount of stool when pulling out the proctoscope is tolerated, the excrement is removed by cleaning and changing the disposable cover of the examination table immediately. When examining in the side position, this remains hidden from the patient.
method
A metal tube, a so-called rigid proctoscope, approximately 10 to 15 centimeters long and of variable diameter (usually 1.5 to 2 centimeters in adults) is used for the examination. The patient is examined in the left lateral position, in the lithotomy position or in the knee-elbow position. The instrument is inserted blindly with the finger, while the tube is completely covered by an internal cone. After the device has been fully inserted, the cone is removed and the anal canal assessed in retraction.
The examination takes a few minutes. Some changes may also be treated as part of the examination (e.g., hemorrhoids from sclerotherapy or ligature). The examination itself is perceived as unpleasant, but not painful if carried out properly.
See also
literature
- Bernd Lingemann, Marc Schüssler: Proctological practice . 2nd edition. Marseille-Verlag, Munich 2001, ISBN 3-88616-099-8 .
- Alexander Neiger: Atlas of practical proctology . Huber, Stuttgart 1991, ISBN 3-456-82007-0 .
