Polypectomy
Colonic polypectomy is the removal of colorectal polyps in order to prevent them from turning cancerous. Gastrointestinal polyps can be removed endoscopically through colonoscopy or esophagogastroduodenoscopy, or surgically if the polyp is too large to be removed endoscopically.
What is a polypectomy?
The removal of a polyp is called a polypectomy and can be achieved by using a variety of instruments through channels of the endoscope.
If a polyp is found on the left side of your bowel, there is a higher chance of you having polyps on the right side of your bowel. As a flexible sigmoidoscopy does not reach the right side of your bowel, you may be asked to return on another day for a full colonoscopy, if a polyp is found. A colonoscopy allows the entire large bowel to be examined and any further polyps to be removed.
Polypectomy is very safe, but all procedures entail some risks, which you should discuss with your endoscopist. Potential serious complications of polypectomy include bleeding and perforation (creating a hole in the colon), however they are rare. Bleeding can usually be controlled by colonoscopy, during which the bleeding site is cauterized, although surgery is sometimes required. Surgery is usually required for perforation. Other complications have been described but occur much less frequently.
You should follow your endoscopist’s instructions carefully following polypectomy, you may be advised to not take certain blood-thinning or anti-inflammatory drugs for a defined period after the polypectomy. In addition, you will be informed about how to find out the results of the tissue analysis of your polyps and if a repeat examination should be performed.