High-Resolution Anoscopy: Preparing for your procedure and caring for yourself afterwards



High-Resolution Anoscopy: Preparing for your procedure and caring for yourself afterwards

Your high-resolution anoscopy is scheduled for (day/date):




Please check in at: ___________ a.m./p.m. Allow up to 1 hour in your schedule to complete the appointment.

Park Nicollet Clinic—St. Louis Park
3800 Park Nicollet Boulevard, 2nd Floor North
St. Louis Park, MN 55416

Show your current insurance card and photo ID at check-in. If required, copayments are due at this time.


What do I need to do to prepare for my high-resolution anoscopy?

  • Do not apply any alcohol-based hygiene products.
  • Do not use an enema or bowel preparation. No special bowel preparation is needed. Using a bowel preparation can affect the results of your procedure.
  • If you have a bleeding disorder or low platelets (cells in your blood that help form clots to stop bleeding), call the nurse line at 952-993-1381 for instructions.

What do I do about my medications?

  • Beginning 7 days before your anoscopy, do not take any aspirin, naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and vitamin E. You may take acetaminophen (Tyenol) as needed.
  • If you take an anticoagulation medication, such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), heparin or synthetic non-heparin, dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto) or apixaban (Eliquis), call the nurse line at 952-993-1381 for instructions.

What is a high-resolution anoscopy?

High-resolution anoscopy (HRA) helps diagnose and treat some anal conditions caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), including warts, dysplasia (abnormal cells) and other lesions.

The procedure involves using a colposcope (microscope) to look at the inside of your anal canal for abnormalities, such as warts or precancerous conditions.

Why is a high-resolution anoscopy useful?

Your doctor may recommend HRA if you have:

  • Anal abnormalities seen during a physical exam.
  • An anal Pap smear positive for abnormal cells.
  • Cervical Pap smear positive for abnormal cells.
  • A history of genital warts or HPV.
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or immune-system problems.

If the HRA shows abnormal tissue, your doctor may recommend continuing the procedure to do a biopsy or provide treatment using infrared coagulation.

Before a biopsy or treatment, you may receive local anesthesia (numbing medicine injected near the biopsy or treatment site). Most people only feel a little discomfort from the anesthesia injection during the biopsy or treatment.

  • Biopsy. A biopsy involves removing a small piece of tissue. Your doctor sends the tissue to a laboratory to check for disease.
  • Infrared coagulation treatment. Infrared coagulation, also called IRC, uses a beam of infrared radiation from light to treat diseased or damaged tissue and seal the area.

What are the risks of a high-resolution anoscopy?

Risks of the procedure include pain and bleeding at the site of any biopsy or treatment using infrared coagulation.

What can I expect after a high-resolution anoscopy?

You may experience:

  • Dull pain when the anesthesia wears off for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.
  • A small amount of blood with bowel movements for 7 to 14 days following biopsy or IRC treatment, which goes away with time.

What do I do about my medications?

  • If you take anticoagulant medication, ask your doctor for instructions.
  • If you have significant treatment, you may not want to go to work or have busy plans for the rest of the day of the procedure.

What about activity?

Do not have anal or vaginal intercourse for 2 weeks after treatment.

If you have significant treatment, you may not want to go to work or have busy plans for the rest of the day of the procedure.

What about bathing?

You may bathe within 24 hours of your procedure. You may notice a small amount of blood in the water.

When will I get my biopsy results?

Your doctor or nurse will notify you of your biopsy results 3 to 5 days after your procedure.

When do I follow up with my doctor?

If you had a biopsy or IRC treatment, schedule a visit as your doctor instructs.

Phone numbers

Park Nicollet Infectious Disease
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
952-993-3131 (Scheduling)
952-993-1381 (Nurse line)

Location

Park Nicollet Clinic—St. Louis Park
3800 Park Nicollet Boulevard, 2nd Floor North
St. Louis Park, MN 55416

Take Highway 100 to Excelsior Boulevard. Continue on Excelsior Boulevard east to Park Nicollet Boulevard (across from Miracle Mile shopping center). Turn left into clinic and follow signs, going straight and then left, to parking ramp. Valet parking is available.



15670 (8/2018) ©HealthPartners