Editing Sigmoidoscopy (section)

== Preparation ==
The colon and rectum must be completely empty for flexible sigmoidoscopy to be thorough and safe, thus the patient must drink only clear liquids for 12 to 24 hours beforehand. This includes bouillon or [[broth]], [[gelatin]], strained fruit [[juice]], water, plain [[coffee]], plain [[tea]], or diet [[soft drink]]s.

The night before or right before the procedure, the patient receives a [[laxative]] (e.g. [[macrogol]], [[lactulose]] etc.) and/or an [[enema]], which is a liquid solution that washes out the intestines. 
No sedation is required during this procedure as long as the examination does not exceed the level of the [[splenic flexure]].