Hemorrhoids Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Hemorrhoids, including details on treatment, internal, external, surgery.

The effectiveness of flexible sigmoidoscopy as the primary method for investigating colorectal symptoms in low-risk patients.

Badger SA, Gilliland R, Neilly PJ

Department of Surgery, Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Flexible sigmoidoscopy as the preferred initial investigation for patients with low-risk colorectal symptoms requires formal evaluation. METHODS: From August 1999 to July 2001, 323 patients (166 men) attended the one-stop colorectal clinic. All the patients were examined using a 60-cm flexible sigmoidoscope. Presenting symptoms and findings were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean age of the study patients was 38.6 +/- 11.87 years, with the majority (89.1%) younger than 50 years. Rectal bleeding was the most common problem (86.6%), followed by bowel habit change (13.7%). For 65.6% of the patients, a view to the proximal sigmoid was obtained. The main reason for incomplete assessment was poor bowel preparation (67.5%). The most common finding, in 202 patients (64%), was haemorrhoids. Polyps were found in 9.9% of the patients, whereas four patients (1.2%) with cancer were identified. Overall, 269 patients (83.4%) required no further investigation. CONCLUSION: Flexible sigmoidoscopy is an effective method for assessing low-risk patients.

Published 17 October 2005 in Surg Endosc, 19(10): 1349-52.
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