Anoscopy is a highly informative instrumental examination method designed to help in assessing the visual condition of the anal canal. No other approach can provide such high performance.
Also, the technique has proven itself as a productive diagnosis of hemorrhoids, but only at the initial stage of its development. The effectiveness of the program is confirmed by numerous reviews of people who were successfully diagnosed with abnormalities in the part of the anus at the starting phases of their development.
Often, such a procedure is combined with some other similar examinations to increase efficiency, as well as in the presence of appropriate medical indications. Sigmoidoscopy usually complements the classic visual examination. And if necessary, the doctor can take another test if rectoscopy and anoscopy did not provide sufficient evidence of deviation.
Therefore, it is impossible to answer the question of what is the best type of examination of the rectum. It is much more effective to combine several, if there is an urgent need for it.
The essence of the technique
To carry out the manipulation, a special device is used, which is called an anoscope. When the procedure is performed under videoscopic control, it allows to identify and fix fissures, as well as polyps, hypertrophied papillae and even anal tumors.
No colonoscopy is complete without such an intervention to detect possible crypts. Also, the device allows you to assess the condition of hemorrhoids, as well as their specific location. Usually they are localized in the lower part of the rectum, but during the inflammatory process, the nodules can significantly shift, and also grow in size, changing their natural shape.
The price of an anoscopy varies depending on whether an additional examination is required. Because of this, only the attending physician who sends for diagnosis can accurately answer the question of how much a study of this kind costs. He must also explain the differences between this procedure with similar variations of skopia.
The study is positioned as a highly effective tool for detailed visualization of hemorrhoids. It is also used to perform a biopsy when an inflammatory process of the mucous membrane is detected. Additionally, he is involved in taking smears, which is especially important as a planned preparation for a subsequent surgical operation.
In addition to the opportunity to study hemorrhoids in detail, including the degree of damage to the disease, manipulation is in demand to confirm medical verdicts in a number of other pathologies of a proctological nature. Among them are:
- anal fissures;
- oncological neoplasms of benign and malignant type;
- warts with localization in the rectum;
- fistulas;
- polyps.
Separately, there is a list of signs of deterioration in well-being, the manifestation of which should prompt the patient to think about visiting a narrowly specialized specialist. We are talking about pain in the anus, destabilization of the stool, ranging from constipation to diarrhea, suspicion of damage to the rectum, discharge with bloody, mucous, purulent inclusions.
If these symptoms are detected, the doctor will redirect the ward to undergo anoscopy. Moreover, the attending physician will tell you where you can do the manipulation, then receiving the result of the study in your hands.
Preparatory stage
In order for the procedure to take place as soon as possible, it is necessary to understand exactly how to prepare for the examination. The preparatory stage begins with a preliminary initial examination, during which the proctologist fills out a medical card to find out the features of the disease.
It takes into account the duration of the course of the disease, symptoms, hereditary predisposition. Only after that, the specialist issues a referral for anoscopy, and also explains what it is.
In order for the proctologist to be able to properly assess the health of the anus, it will be necessary to clean the ampoule and the distal rectum from accumulated feces and mucus. Preparation begins in the evening, when a person copes with a natural bowel movement. After it, it is recommended to do a cleansing enema.
For this, two liters of water at room temperature is enough. In this case, the cleaning procedure with the involvement of an enema should be repeated the next day approximately a couple of hours before the scheduled visit.
Here it is important to take into account the moment of the correctness of the cleansing measures, since not all the inhabitants know how such an intervention is carried out. If the patient is in the inpatient department of the hospital, or does not have the necessary skills, then it would be safer to seek qualified help from a medical professional.
The reason that can complicate the administration of an enema is often an extensive inflammatory process associated with the formation of hemorrhoids. Even knowing how professionals carry out the manipulation will not help here, because with an anal fissure and bleeding, it will be too painful to insert an enema cannula.
In this situation, it is more efficient to use ready-made pharmaceutical products aimed at the release of feces and mucus in a natural way. Moreover, it is better to look for suitable pharmacological agents not through a forum or blogs, but to clarify in advance the list of approved medications from the treating expert.
The problem of self-activity of the victim lies in the fact that some believe that the drugs to improve the performance of anoscopy are the same ones that provide for the diagnosis of the intestine. But they differ significantly in their spectrum of action.
To simplify the work of the diagnostician, you need to start following a certain diet at home a couple of days before the scheduled visit. It provides for the rejection of products that cause severe gas formation. These products include cabbage, fatty meat, fresh bread, apples, kvass, carbonated drinks. Moreover, a light meal is allowed on the day of admission.
How is the procedure?
Having dealt with what anoscopy reveals, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the technique of its implementation. The study of the victim begins with sitting on a medical couch or a special chair.
Then the proctologist puts on gloves, moistening them with a special anesthetic gel. To get deeper into the passage, the patient is asked to push. So it will be possible to probe not only the anus zone, but also examine the area of the coccyx and even the sacrum at the same time.
Palpation is designed to identify the presence of inflamed hemorrhoids, as well as their structure. The assessment covers the condition of the walls of the rectum and the anus muscles. Due to such a preliminary stage, it is possible to establish whether the nodules can independently be reduced into the rectum, or whether such a possibility is completely absent.
If at the stage of palpation the patient complains of a sharp pain, then it should be stopped immediately.
Many patients are interested in whether it is painful to insert an apparatus to examine the inside of the anus. In fact, it is more just unpleasant and embarrassing than painful. Some people experience stiffness during the examination, because in addition to the anus, they have to expose the genitals. With such embarrassment, doctors recommend pre-purchasing disposable underwear that has a hole in the specified area.
The procedure is the same for women and men. First, the device is inserted into the anus, using gentle circular movements so as not to injure the mucous membrane once again.
If a girl or a guy is too painful because of the natural low pain threshold, then you should ask for local anesthesia in advance. But here it is worth being extremely careful, as the risk of developing anaphylactic shock remains. To avoid unpleasant consequences, you will have to conduct an additional allergic test.
The anoscope itself is a smooth metal rod, the diameter of which is less than one centimeter. If the examination is carried out using innovative models, then the rod will receive additional illumination. It is designed to improve the quality of the final visualization of the state of the mucosa.
The assessment lasts no more than 15 minutes. Then the anoscope is brought back. Since the procedure is safe, it has no complications, as well as absolute contraindications. The only exceptions were the physiological characteristics of a particular patient who has a narrowing of the lumen of the rectum or anal valve.
You will also have to wait with the manipulation if it turns out that the victim has an inflammatory process at the acute stage of its development. We will have to reschedule the appointed date for a more suitable time, when the alarming symptoms subside.