Abstract
Almost all conditions affecting the anus and rectum can be diagnosed on physical examination, and in many cases disease of the left colon can be identified by flexible sigmoidoscopy. The examination should be carried out in the following order:
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General examination
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Inspection and palpation of perineum
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Anorectal examination
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Rectal digital examination
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Rigid sigmoidoscopy
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Proctoscopy
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Flexible sigmoidoscopy
Rigid and flexible sigmoidoscopy give only a partial examination of the large bowel and further investigation is required if there is suspicion of more proximal disease.
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Further Reading
Bohlman TW, Katon RM, Lipshutz GR, McCool MF, Smith FW, Melnyk CS (1977) Fibreoptic pansigmoidoscopy: An evaluation and comparison with rigid sigmoidoscopy. Gastroenterology 72: 644–649
Leicester RJ, Nicholls RJ, Pollett WG, Hawley PR (1982) Flexible sigmoidoscopy as an outpatient procedure. Lancet I: 34–35
Nicholls RJ (1984) The management of anorectal cases. In: Kyle J (ed) Pye’s surgical handicraft. J Wright, Bristol, pp 438–460
Pugliese V, Bruzzi P, Aste H (1982) Left-sided colonoscopy in screening programs. What preparation? Endoscopy 14: 85–88
Sandler RS, Varma V, Herbst CA, Montana GS, Rudnick SA, Fowler WC (1982) Use of the flexible sigmoidoscope in women with previous pelvic irradiation. Gastrointest Endosc 28(4): 237–239
Vellacott KD, Amar SS, Hardcastle JD (1982) Comparison of rigid and flexible fibreoptic sigmoidoscopy with double contrast barium enemas. Br J Surg 69: 399–400
Winawer SJ, Leidner SD, Kurtz RC (1977) Flexible sigmoidoscopy compared to other diagnostic techniques in the detection of colorectal cancer and polyps. Gastrointest Endosc 23: 243–245
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© 1985 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Nicholls, J., Glass, R. (1985). Examination. In: Coloproctology. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1375-1_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1375-1_2
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-15140-1
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