Rectoscopy

Rectoscopy: what is it and why is the procedure needed?

Rectoscopy is a medical procedure that allows you to examine the rectum and lower colon using a special instrument - a rectoscope. This procedure can be prescribed by a doctor to identify various diseases and pathological changes in the rectum.

When performing rectoscopy, the patient lies on his side, bending his knees, and inserts a rectoscope into the rectum - a narrow flexible tube with a lighting system and an optical device at the end. The doctor slowly moves the proctoscope inside the intestine, examining its walls and the formations on them.

Rectoscopy can be prescribed to diagnose various diseases of the rectum, such as hemorrhoids, rectal fissures, polyps, tumors and other pathologies. Rectoscopy can also be used to monitor the treatment process after rectal surgery or to monitor the condition of a patient with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

Preparation for rectoscopy may include diet, cleansing enemas, or the use of mild laxatives. The procedure itself is usually not painful, but may be slightly uncomfortable due to the pressure caused by the insertion of the instrument.

In general, rectoscopy is an important procedure for diagnosing and monitoring various diseases of the rectum. This procedure allows the doctor to get a detailed picture of the condition of the intestine and prescribe the necessary treatment. If you are scheduled for rectoscopy, you must follow your doctor's recommendations and not be afraid of the procedure, which is usually safe and does not cause serious complications.

**Rectoscopy** is a method of examining the rectum, which uses a special device - a rectoscope. A rectoscope allows you to examine in detail the surface of the walls of the rectum and identify any deviations in its functioning at the initial stage. Also, this method contributes to the diagnosis of various tumors thanks to a well-developed radiation system for identifying this diagnosis. The rectoscopy procedure is carried out using special endoscopes (proctoscopes), which must be cleared of the rectal mucosa. Before the procedure, a person must prepare well by cleansing the intestines with a cleansing enema. During the examination, the intestines must be examined for the presence of foreign objects.

**Indications for rectoscopy:**

* Painful and prolonged constipation in adults that persists for more than 3 months; * Feeling of unfilled space in the stomach; * Haemorrhoids; * Anal fissure or rectal ulcers; * Internal fistulas of the anus, anal fissures; * Presence of blood in stool for a long time; * Urinary dysfunction; * Anal itching, etc.

The procedure for rectoscopy using a fiber-optic rectoscope from the endoscope staff is as follows: before the examination, the patient is given injections of drugs to delay bowel movements. After which a cleansing enema is performed. Next, the patient is asked to take a knee-elbow position. The patient's mouth is opened with a spatula and he is given a sedative tablet. Only after all the manipulations, a sterile tampon ring is applied to the rectal sphincter mucosa, and a fiber rectoscope, which is equipped with a special backlight, is inserted through the tube. This device can be compared to a periscope because it allows you to magnify the image using a more sensitive lens of the device. The doctor can then measure the anatomical curves of the internal rectal canal using a special pointer. The study of rectal tissue is carried out through constant retreat. Diagnosis of this area can only be carried out by an experienced surgeon or proctologist, since