Anal Speculum

The anal speculum has been in use for hundreds of years and artefacts have been found at the site of Pompeii. While there are many different types of anal speculum, the one that is most used is of a very similar type to those used for anal and vaginal examination hundreds of years ago. Speculum is taken from the Latin it is designed to dilate the anal opening so that the doctor can see inside the rectum and decide what, if any, treatment is needed. The plural of speculum is specula and originally these were made from stainless steel, these are still in use in operating theatres but in most hospital emergency departments and doctor’s surgeries it is common to find disposable plastic specula.

Uses of the Speculum

• The speculum is used to diagnose various conditions including haemorrhoids or piles, anal fissure, polyps, Crown’s disease and cancer of the bowel. There are different types of specula depending on what is being investigated and which part of the rectal area the doctor needs to see.

Different types of Anal Speculum

The most commonly used anal speculum is a tubular shape with a bullet nosed insert. The top is covered in water soluble jelly and inserted in the anus and up into the rectum before the tubes or blades are opened out to dilate the area, The tubular speculum is the oldest type of speculum, sometimes referred to as the anoscope it is one of the earliest types of surgical instrument. Other types of speculum include the following:

• Czemy – the czemy is a single bladed anal speculum
• Two bladed anal specula include the following types, many of which are designed for specific purposes.
• Smith Suie – Pratt – Killian – Sims – Roschke – Bodenhammer – Barr – Ricord
• Three bladed specula allow the doctor a better view of the rectum and include the following different types.
• Cook – Mathieu – Alan Park

The many different types of anal speculum are used for different purposes, for example, if a patient is suffering from haemorrhoids, which are swollen veins, the tubular speculum will give the doctor ample sight for the job of tying off the veins so that they eventually wither and drop off. The tying method is preferable to surgery because there is less chance of infection or post operation blood clots occurring.

Double and triple bladed specula may be needed to explore the rectum and for the insertion of another surgical instrument if required. A doctor may wish to take a biopsy to see whether a polyp or tumour is cancerous. A biopsy involves a local anaesthetic so that the doctor can insert a scalpel and take off a piece of the tissue that needs to be sent for analysis. Doctors may also take a biopsy if there is an anal fissure and Crohn’s disease os sis[acted. Some natural health practitioners suggest that the personal use of an anal or vaginal speculum can help individuals to better understand their bodies, but there are dangers to non-professional use of a anal speculum.