Colonoscopy in the management of colon polyps

Abstract The technique and indications for colonoscopic polyp-ectomy are reviewed. The results compare very favourably with those of surgical polypectomy and represent a major advance. Three hundred polyps of up to 4.5 cm diameter were removed with the diathermy snare from 169 patients, and a further 107 smaller polyps were destroyed with a new ‘hot-biopsy’ technique. There were no serious complications, but I patient sustained a ‘closed’ perforation, which was managed conservatively, and in 2 others signifcant haemorrhage occurred. Comparison of colonoscopy with the Malmö double contrast enema shows that up to 95 per cent of polyps over 5 mm in diameter can be demonstrated radiologically. High quality X-rays allow limited colonoscopy and justify radiological rather than colonoscopic follow-up. Colonoscopic removal of all polyps saves the patient unnecessary irradiation, since barium enema examination need then be repeated only every 3–5 years.

Colonoscopy in the management of colon polyps Academic Article