Categories: Colonoscopy, Endoscopy

June 2010 Volume 6, Issue 6

Juan F. Gallegos-Orozco, MD, and Suryakanth R. Gurudu, MD

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By interrupting the adenoma-carcinoma sequence, endoscopic polypectomy can prevent the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Endoscopic polypectomy has, therefore, become an accepted screening and surveillance modality for CRC and has been widely adopted by clinicians, policymakers, and professional organizations as an effective screening tool. Most gastroenterologists are adequately trained to endoscopically excise the majority of polyps found in a routine colonoscopy. However, some polyps, due to their size, location, or configuration, are considered more technically challenging or are associated with an increased risk of complications (such as bleeding or perforation) and, hence, are not routinely resected. These so-called complex polypectomies are the focus of this paper.