Colonoscopic Polypectomy in Outpatients / 대한소화기내시경학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The incidence of colon cancer has increased since 1990 in Korea. Though the cause of colon cancer is not clear, there are two theories of its development (adenoma-carcinoma sequence and de novo cancer). Recently, frequently performed colonoscopy and videoscopy make it possible to find colon polyps including tiny ones and do polypectomy. So, the authors studied safety of colonoscopic polypectomy on out-patient basis and its clinico-pathologic results. METHODS: From April 1999 to April 2000, the authors performed colonoscopy and polypectomy in patients for various gastrointestinal symptoms, follow-up after colon cancer operation, and colon cancer screening. We studied prospectively in out-patients basis after checking of bleeding tendency. If there was possibility of bleeding or perforation risk, we had done hemoclipping for prevention of complications. RESULTS: One thousand three hundred five colon polyps were found in 586 patients. 1,191 (91.3%) were smaller than 1 cm. Among the total 1,305 polyps, 10 revealed malignant transformation, in which 6 were smaller than 1 cm. Sigmoid colon and ascending colon are most common site of colon polyps, which could be removed with endoscopic mucosal resection snare. Only 1 case of postpolypectomy bleeding was noted after 9 days with mucosectomy without any other complications as perforation. CONCLUSIONS: The colon polyps are popular in the Korean and even the small polyps can be malignant. Any polyps could be removed in spite of small size and the polypectomy in out-patient basis is a safe procedure if postpolypectomy complications are fully comprehended and preventing endoscopic procedures are carried adequately.