How Far Does the Proctosigmoidoscope Reach?

Abstract

FEW studies have been undertaken to determine how far the proctosigmoidoscope can be inserted.^{1 2 3} Many practitioners erroneously believe that proctosigmoidoscopy is successful only if the proctosigmoidoscope is inserted to its maximum, standard length of 25 cm. An attempt to insert the entire instrument often causes substantial pain and discomfort to the patients.We evaluated the depth of insertion of the proctosigmoidoscope in 1000 patients, when the rectal wall was not stretched and the patients were not caused pain. We found that the average possible depth of insertion was greater in male than in female patients; that in young men 16 . . .