Medical article
Video proctoscopy and colonoscopy: what is the difference?
When people talk about a bowel examination, most think only of colonoscopy. In fact, most proctological symptoms are linked to the anal canal and the last part of the rectum, and they can be assessed with a simpler examination, video proctoscopy. These two examinations do not replace each other; they complement each other.
Both examinations in brief
- Video proctoscopy is an examination of the anal canal and the last part of the rectum using a proctoscope equipped with a camera. The image is shown on a monitor.
- Colonoscopy is an examination of all parts of the colon using a long, flexible instrument with a camera at its tip.
Comparison table
| Video proctoscopy | Colonoscopy | |
|---|---|---|
| Area examined | Anal canal and the lower part of the rectum | The entire colon: cecum, ascending, transverse and descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum |
| Equipment | Proctoscope with a camera (a short, rigid instrument) and a monitor | Colonoscope: a long, flexible instrument with a camera at its tip |
| Visible area | The anal canal and roughly the last 10–15 cm of the rectum | The entire colon |
| Duration | Short; about 10–20 minutes, including explanation and preparation | Usually 20–60 minutes; removing a polyp may make it longer |
| Preparation | Usually no special preparation is needed; sometimes a small cleansing enema is enough | Diet and complete cleansing of the bowel with a special preparation |
| Pain relief | Numbing gel | Usually sedation (light medication-induced sleep) |
| Advantages | Simple preparation; short duration; clearly shows local problems such as hemorrhoids, a fissure, a fistula opening or an anal polyp; the patient sees the image on the monitor | Covers the entire colon; detects polyps and often allows them to be removed during the same procedure; a biopsy can be taken; it is a method of screening for colon cancer |
| Who is it recommended for? | First choice for symptoms in the anal area: bleeding, pain, itching, redness, swelling, discharge; suspected hemorrhoids, anal fissure or fistula | Age-based screening (from age 45; from age 50 in some recommendations); looking for polyps and monitoring them; monitoring of chronic bowel diseases; bleeding of unknown cause, anemia, a change in bowel habits; family risk |
| Who performs it at Modern Hospital? | Dr. Dilara Hasanova | An endoscopist |
Visible area
- Video proctoscopy — anal canal and roughly the last 10–15 cm of the rectum
- Colonoscopy — entire colon and rectum
Might both examinations be needed?
Yes. For example, in a patient over 40–45 years of age who has rectal bleeding, video proctoscopy can show hemorrhoids. But colonoscopy is also recommended to rule out another source of the bleeding, such as a polyp. In a young patient with typical symptoms of an anal fissure, on the other hand, video proctoscopy is often enough.
Conclusion
Both examinations are important. Your doctor determines which examination is appropriate based on your symptoms and risk factors.