The usefulness of flexible sigmoidoscopy in bleeding per rectum during pregnancy: an observational study

Introduction: Bleeding per rectum is not an infrequent complaint during pregnancy, which may require endoscopic evaluation and treatment. Flexible sigmoidoscopy a relatively simple, quick procedure. The current study was aimed to assess the usefulness of flexible in bleeding pregnancy from single tertiary care centre. Methods: A centre retrospective carried out. Randomly selected 1000 medical records pregnant mothers who were referred as out patients hospitalized 2012 2022 retrieved. All had passage fresh blood their chief complaint. them undergone any prior diagnostic workup for presentation. sigmoidoscopies with significant additional bowel symptoms underwent colonoscopy following sigmoidoscopy. Endoscopic findings recorded computer based database. Ethical approval obtained Review Committee Nawaloka Hospitals Sri Lanka. No conflict interest. Results: total 48 women lower GI endoscopies. mean age 25.3 ± 6.5 years. Twenty-four (50%) primigravida. Majority second trimester 89.5% (43/48). (±SD) gestational at time procedure 18(±2) weeks. sigmoidoscopy, done 2 patients. main indication. without sedation. Wiliest, colonoscopies performed under conscious found have haemorrhoids followed by anal fissures (46/48; 95.8%). Ulcerative colitis sigmoidal cancer two (4.2%). None immediate post procedure-related complication. Conclusion: useful safe be clinically rectum. It has good yield. Further prospective multicentre research studies are strongly recommended.