Anoscopy: what is this method and what is its peculiarity?

On one clinical manifestations and medical history it is impossible to put the correct diagnosis and even more so to prescribe the optimal treatment. For example, bleeding and severe pain after defecation can talk about different pathologies: ulcerative colitis, cracks and polyps. Even with inflamed hemorrhoids, it is difficult to determine the tactics of therapy, since the physician should clearly know their location.

Absolutely in all medical directions, comprehensive examination, which helps to establish pathology at an early stage and to prescribe optimal therapy, is not an exception and proctology is of great importance. The initial methods of diagnosis include biochemical and clinical analysis of blood, feces for dysbiosis, as well as finger examination. For more detailed investigation, anoscopy is used. What is this technique and for what purpose it is carried out, let's understand more in detail.

Non-invasive (finger) method

The procedure is an obligatory diagnostic measure for detecting pathological changes in the anus and colon, including benign and malignant formations. With the help of this method, it is possible to study the state of the prostate gland in men and the sexual organs in women. Indications are usually complaints about the presence of violations of the intestinal tract, pain in the abdomen and in the pelvis.

The doctor-proctologist usually uses finger diagnostics before carrying out other methods: anoscopy, colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. This is done to determine the severity of the existing disease (with hemorrhoids). If the inflammation is far from the anus, then anoscopy is used. What is this procedure, and to whom it is appointed? In fact, this medical examination using a special device - an anoscope, which is injected through the rectum to a depth of 12 cm. The device allows you to see the presence of an internal fistula.

Technique of conducting. What does the procedure give?

Anoscope is a metal rod that does not have sharp edges and protrusions, up to 1 cm in diameter. Modern devices are equipped with a backlight system for convenience. Disposable plastic tools are also available. To reduce discomfort, the device is treated with glycerin ointment, and then slowly in a circular motion is injected into the anal canal.

The anoscope expands, revealing a complete picture for the specialist. But in cases where the hemorrhoidal nodes are too high, a sigmoidoscopy is used. The procedure allows to examine the state of the intestine at a depth of 35 cm. During the procedure, the proctologist can see the diameter of the lumen of the rectum, blood vessels, assess the mucosa in color, and also identify the presence of cracks, tumors, polyps and scars.

Anoscopy and sigmoidoscopy take no more than 15 minutes, both manipulations are absolutely safe and in most cases do not deliver pain. At the request of the patient, the doctor may apply an anesthetic ointment or an intramuscular injection. The procedure can be carried out in any position (from behind, standing, from the side, lying down), here the physiological characteristics of the patient are taken into account. The most important thing is that a person does not experience pain. A few hours before the session, a cleansing enema with two liters of boiled water is prescribed .

Who is receiving anoscopy?

What is this procedure, let's remind - a bloodless rectal examination of the entire cavity of the rectum. Indications for its conduct are: suspicion of oncology, a violation of the stool, the presence of purulent, bloody or mucous discharge. It is used for detailed diagnosis of hemorrhoids, anal polyps and crypts, formations and condylomas (for biopsy), as well as inflammatory processes. For therapeutic purposes, anoscopy is administered for the administration of medications (which is the manipulation described above).

Relative contraindications

There are no absolute limitations to its implementation. But doctors forbid to carry out the procedure in the presence of acute inflammatory processes (paraproctitis and hemorrhoids), as well as a narrowed lumen of the anal valve and rectum. Examination is carried out only after the complete stagnation of the acute stage. Other significant contraindications and side effects have no anoscopy. Testimonials confirm the safety of the technique.