Use of a Novel Camera to Check the Bowel After Polyp or Tumour Removal

Starting soon

Conditions studied: Bowel Cancer, Polyp Rectal, Rectal Cancer, Rectal Adenocarcinoma, Rectal Adenoma

In brief

1.1 Polyps or tumours in the lower part of the bowel (rectum) can be removed using instruments inserted through the bottom which avoids major surgery and the possibility of a stoma bag (colostomy). Afterwards, it is important to check the area with regular camera tests. If checks are delayed, re-growths could be serious and may be untreatable. COVID and other factors have led to long waiting lists for camera checks and in NHS Lothian around 20% of all camera checks are done more than 6 months late. The investigators want to try a new camera and approach that would allow us to reduce waiting lists. Using a short camera called a 'rectoscope' to check the lower bowel has already been shown to be safe, comfortable and acceptable to patients with other conditions. In fact, patients are unlikely to feel or realise any difference between the rectoscope and standard camera tests. The investigators want to show that this 'rectoscope' can be safely used in the outpatient clinic with an enema (suppository) instead of strong bowel medicine taken by mouth the day before. This would mean the camera checks happen on time and would reduce waiting lists for other important tests. The investigators will include 30 patients across three stages of our study. In the first set of patients, the investigators will use the rectoscope alongside the usual endoscope in the endoscopy room using the usual oral bowel medicine. This stage will check the rectoscope is acceptable to the patient and the doctor. In the next 10 patients the investigators will use a suppository instead of oral bowel medicine still using both cameras. Finally, the investigators will use the rectoscope in the outpatient clinic with an suppository to show this is an easy, effective and acceptable way to deliver timely camera checks.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07341126

Run by

University of Edinburgh

People needed

30

Starts

2026-07-01

Expected to finish

2027-05-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-29

Who can join

Age: 16 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• All participants who are capable of giving informed consent. All participants aged 16 years or over. All patients must have had a rectal tumour/ polyp removed within easy reach of the rigid sigmoidoscope.
• All participants must be resident in the United Kingdom.

You may not qualify if…

• Unable to give informed consent. Under the age of 16 years

Where it is running

• Western General Hospital — Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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