Fibrocolonoscopy

Fibrocolonoscopy is a modern diagnostic method that has surpassed traditional colonoscopy in its properties. This method is used today in many large specialized medical institutions. What is the essence of this study?

The essence of fibrocolonoscopy

The study is conducted to examine the rectum. This is done with a special device - a fibrocolonoscope. The set for this device includes biopsy forceps with different properties (for example, "crocodile" or "rat tooth" forceps). Thanks to their work, you can take a piece of rectal tissue and diagnose it for diseases or malignant tumors.

The device also contains cleaning brushes, a set of valves for the cylinders that make up the fibrocolonoscope, and eyepieces for viewing the condition of the rectum and colon. The device itself resembles a flexible combination of bundles of fibers that have the property of conducting light. Thanks to this property, the doctor can see the condition of the rectum and colon on the monitor.

With the help of a fibrocolonoscope, it is possible to perform even operations without using large incisions – endoscopy. During such an operation, it is possible to remove tumors or polyps from the rectum or colon without resorting to surgical intervention.

What tasks does fibrocolonoscopy perform?

This method of highly accurate diagnostics is performed on patients with colitis, Hirschsprung's disease, Crohn's disease, colon tumors, detection of foreign bodies in the colon, suspected polyps or cancer.

Fibrocolonoscopy differs from other diagnostic methods in that during its implementation, a piece of tissue can be pinched off for examination. This examination is called histological - tissues that have been previously stained with a special dye are examined under a microscope to identify abnormalities in them, especially tumors. This is why fibrocolonoscopy is so popular in the diagnosis of cancerous tumors.

Another important goal of fibrocolonoscopy is the elimination of benign tumors in the colon, in particular polyps. The advantage of this method is that polyps are removed directly during the examination. Their tissue can be immediately examined for malignant tumors in order to prevent them. The fact is that an increased number of polyps indicates an increased risk of cancerous tumors.

How to prepare for fibrocolonoscopy?

Before examining the intestines, doctors must make sure that they are completely cleared of feces and food debris. Therefore, before conducting diagnostics, it is necessary to do cleansing enemas, the patient may be prescribed laxatives. Special drugs can be prescribed, for example, such as Fortrans - with their help, the intestines will be cleaned faster and better.

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Recommendations for patients with constipation and hemorrhoids

Such patients should be especially careful with their rectum before its examination. Preparation for fibrocolonoscopy can be started 3 days before the diagnostics. Here's how it's done. 3 days before undergoing fibrocolonoscopy, you need to switch to a special diet. That is, exclude fresh vegetables and fruits from the menu, as well as legumes, do not eat black bread, exclude all types of cabbage, including cabbage in borsch or shchi, that is, heat-treated.

During these days, you should continue taking the laxatives that your doctor prescribed. Perhaps, given your condition, you need to increase the doses of these laxatives - your gastroenterologist should tell you about this.

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Is fibrocolonoscopy dangerous?

According to reviews from doctors and patients, this method is completely painless and not dangerous to the life and health of the patient. It is quite complicated, but it allows doctors to accurately determine the condition of the colon, the length of which is up to 2 meters. Conventional diagnostic methods simply would not cope with such areas and could inevitably lead to diagnostic errors. Therefore, fibrocolonoscopy comes to the rescue - a type of diagnostic examination of the digestive tract.

As a result of the device working on a xenon or halogen lamp, this light source is considered cold and cannot burn the mucous membrane of the rectum or colon. This is the additional health-safety properties of the method.

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What additional examination methods are needed during fibrocolonoscopy?

Before using this method, sometimes an X-ray examination is needed, it is done for the colon. This method is called irrigoscopy. If fibrocolonoscopy is also needed, it is performed two days after the irrigoscopy.

How is a fibrocolonoscopy performed?

This diagnostic method does not require anesthesia because the method is virtually painless. Fibrocolonoscopy is performed as follows. First, the doctor examines the rectum using palpation. Then, the fibrocolonoscope tube is inserted into the person through the anus. It is slowly moved along the entire rectum (hence the flexible flagella). Then air is supplied to the fibrocolonoscope. This is done to straighten the folds of the rectum and better see everything that is happening in it.

At this time, a person may feel slight discomfort in the form of bloating and the need to defecate. If a person has cracks in the anus, the examination may be painful, in which case local anesthesia is used.

Doctors perform the necessary examination, if necessary - pinching of tissue or removal of polyps. Then the tube is slowly removed.

How often can fibrocolonoscopy be performed?

Depending on whether the patient has a tendency to cancer, fibrocolonoscopy is performed once every 3, 5 or 10 years. Statistics show that the risk of cancer in 80% of cases develops due to polyps in the rectum and colon. Therefore, if polyps are present, it is better to diagnose the gastrointestinal tract using fibrocolonoscopy once every 3 years. This is because a malignant tumor develops from a polyp during this time.

Sometimes fibrocolonoscopy is performed once a year. This happens when polyps are not detected during the first fibrocolonoscopy session, but their presence is suspected. If polyps are no larger than 10 mm, they may not be detected by fibrocolonoscopy in 6-15% of cases. Therefore, a repeat examination is necessary after a year. If polyps are not detected after a year, the fibrocolonoscopy procedure can be performed as standard - once every three years.

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How to behave after the examination?

The procedure is simple, so you can drink and eat immediately after it. If gases have accumulated in the intestines and the patient feels that the stomach is full, you need to take 8 tablets of activated carbon - black or white. It can be diluted with 100 milliliters of clean boiled water.

For 3-4 hours after the fibrocolonoscopy, it is advisable to lie on your stomach, getting up when you need to go to the toilet.

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