Anoscopy Procedure
- Anoscopy is a painless, outpatient procedure and takes about 10-30 minutes.
- In this procedure, a lubricated anoscope which is usually 3-4 inches long, is inserted inside the rectum.
- The device consists of light as well as a magnifier that aids in examining any abnormality.
- During an anoscopy, your doctor may extract tissue specimens for analysis or eliminate diseased tissue like polyps.
- You might feel no or little discomfort during the procedure.
- A high-resolution anoscopy is also a related alternative: It involves the use of a basic equipment colposcope that enables cervix examination under light illumination at different low magnifications along with the anoscope.
What to expect before the surgery?
For an initial evaluation, your doctor will
- Review your medical records
- Conduct a physical examination of your abdomen
- Perform a visual inspection of the anus and perineum
- If required, your doctor might perform a Digital Rectal Examination (DRE): To check for haemorrhoids, fissures, or other abnormalities, your physician will gently enter a gloved, lubricated finger into your anus.
- Your doctor will advise you of a clear liquid diet or overnight fasting a day before the procedure.
- Your doctor might ask you to have a laxative either in a pill or liquid form.
- Unlike other procedures, additional preparations are not required for the analysis.
What to expect on the day of Surgery?
To ensure a safe and successful procedure:
- The healthcare team will ensure that your colon is empty or else it might create an obstruction.
- An enema kit that aids in the emptying of the colon will be provided to you approximately two hours before the procedure.
What to expect during the surgery?
- To begin the analysis, your doctor will ask you to lie in the fetal position or bend forward on the examination table.
- The doctor will then insert a lubricated anoscope in your lower GIT region via the anus.
- To ease the insertion, the doctor may instruct you to contact your internal muscles and ease as if you were having a bowel movement while the anoscope is being inserted.
- The light and magnifier of the anoscope provide better visuals to the doctor.
- In case of detection of any abnormality, your doctor might extract a tissue sample for biopsy.
- The anoscope is slowly taken out.