What is the difference between Sigmoidoscopy and Colonoscopy?

A sigmoidoscopy is a procedure that allows examination of the mucosal surface of the end-region of the colon (large intestine) for lesions, including cancerous or pre-cancerous polyps (growths). The instrument used is called Sigmoidoscopes. There are two types of sigmoidoscopy, which include flexible and rigid sigmoidoscopy.

A special camera on the sigmoidoscope allows the person to carry out the procedure to monitor the examination on a video screen. For a sigmoidoscopy to work properly, it needs to have a clear view of the walls of the rectum and large intestine; the colon should be empty before the procedure. The sigmoidoscopy procedure is considered safe, and the risk of complications very low when performed by a trained practitioner.

A colonoscopy is yet another test doctor use to view the inside of the colon and rectum. It can screen for colon cancer and diagnose the cause of problems like rectal bleeding or belly pain. A colonoscopy is performed with a thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope. It is a long scope reaching the whole length of the colon; the extended length allows examiners to diagnose problems throughout the whole colon.

Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are related to the medical field. A colonoscopy is an exam that is used to find any changes or things happening in the rectum and large intestine. To conduct this exam, a camera is passed through the anus, using a fiber optic cable. Sigmoidoscopy is another type of exam, that involves the large intestine.

However, it is not as invasive as the colonoscopy is. Between the two, it takes much longer for a patient to prepare for a colonoscopy. To prepare, the patient can only drink liquid for three days up to the exam. They also need to take a laxative the day before.

A colonoscopy is a comprehensive examination that is used to detect changes or irregularities in the large intestine and rectum. It involves passing a camera or a flexible fiber optic cable through the anus. A sigmoidoscopy, on the other hand, is a minimally invasive procedure that examines the large intestine from the rectum to the colon. The preparation for the colonoscopy is quite a process. The person should drink only clear liquid up to three days prior.

The day before, a laxative preparation should be taken to clear up the bowel. There are two types of sigmoidoscopy. These include flexible sigmoidoscopy, which is useful for seeing the colon up to the flexure of the large intestine. Rigid sigmoidoscopy is best for the determination of anorectal diseases. The preparation and procedure are precisely the same as for a colonoscopy.