ABSTRACT
Procedures such as rectal biopsy, electrocoagulation, and snaring of rectal polyps are usually performed in the office or an outpatient clinic. Thus the office or clinic must be well equipped with essential instruments and spare parts, and the clinician should be proficient in the use of these instruments. Providing sedation or anesthesia to the patient is rarely, if ever, necessary. If a barium enema study is indicated, it should be done one day before or three to four weeks after the procedure to avoid the risk of perforation. However, if a biopsy is performed on a carcinoma, a barium enema can be safely performed anytime thereafter because the rectal wall itself is not damaged by the biopsy. Anticoagulants, including aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be stopped for one week or until the prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time have reached normal or nearnormal values.
