Partial colonoscopy

Partial colonoscopy, also known as sigmoidoscopy, is used to examine the lower rectum and colon.
It can be used, for example, to check the last part of the rectum and colon, to detect anatomical anomalies, to check the location of a polyp that has already been removed from this part.
This partial examination must be preceded by a previous colonoscopy.

The first part of a partial colonoscopy examination is a consultation with your doctor, so before the first examination it is worth thinking about the characteristics of your symptoms (frequency, severity, whether they are related to anything – e.g. diet, lifestyle).
Previous findings will also be reviewed and any questions clarified, so if you have any questions, it is also worth writing them down in advance.
During the initial examination, the doctor will take a medical history, asking a series of questions about current medication use and any family history of illness.
This is followed by a partial colonoscopy.

During the examination, the patient is positioned sideways on the examination table with legs raised.
The examination is performed by a specialist.
During sigmoidoscopy, a thin tube is inserted through the anus to allow visual inspection of the intestinal surfaces.
The examination takes a few minutes – it can be uncomfortable at most, but not painful.

Both sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are important diagnostic tools for colonoscopy, but there are important differences between them.
A sigmoidoscopy is less invasive and only examines the last part of the colon, about
The sigmoidoscopy is less invasive and examines only the last 70 cm of the colon, while colonoscopy examines the whole colon and usually requires more time and preparation on the part of the patient.
If polyps are found during the sigmoidoscopy, they are removed, but in this case a colonoscopy may also be necessary.

Partial colonoscopy can help identify and, in some cases, treat diseases and conditions that affect the lower part of the colon.

Examples:

• inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease;
• rectal polyps;
• rectal ulcers;
• rectal cancer and other colorectal cancers;
• faecal incontinence;
• hemorrhoids;
• anal fissure.

It is recommended for people who are asymptomatic but at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps because of their age or family history (genetic predisposition).
Colorectal cancer is usually asymptomatic at an early stage, so screening can help to detect and treat the disease early.

Other cases when you should have a screening test:

• Over 45 years old, but have not had a previous partial or general colonoscopy;
• if you have been tested before, but that was 5-10 years ago;
• genetic predisposition;
• you have an inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease).

It may also be recommended for people for whom a full colonoscopy is not feasible or anaesthesia is not recommended.