Cold snare polypectomy effectively reduces polyp burden in familial adenomatous polyposis

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is generally managed by colectomy, but in some cases surgery is delayed and polyp burdens are managed endoscopically. We aimed to describe the use of cold snare polypectomy to control the polyp burden in selected patients with FAP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. Polyps were counted and the range of polyp size recorded at each examination. Patients with a reduction in polyp number and mean size were considered to have successful endoscopic reduction of their polyp burdens. RESULTS: Of 79 patients with FAP, 21 had an attempt at delaying surgery by cold snaring of at least 30 adenomas, and had at least one follow-up at our institution. Ten patients had intact colons, 6 had intact rectums, and 5 had heavy polyp burdens in an ileo-anal pouch. Among the 21 patients, the mean number of polyps resected at the first examination was 85, range 30 - 342. Nineteen of 21 patients had fewer polyps at the second examination, and of those, only one had any persistence of adenomas ≥ 1 cm in size. During follow-up, two patients underwent surgical resection and the remainder had reductions in their polyp burdens at follow-up endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Cold snare polypectomy effectively reduces polyp burden in selected FAP patients

A survey of patient acceptance of resect and discard for diminutive polyps

Background and Aims Resect and discard is a new paradigm for management of diminutive colon polyps. Little is known regarding whether patients would accept resect and discard. We surveyed colonoscopy patients and their drivers regarding acceptance of resect and discard. Methods This was a cross-sectional survey of colonoscopy outpatients and their drivers at two outpatient academic endoscopy centers. Results Four hundred fifteen colonoscopy patients and 293 drivers completed the survey (93.5% of all invited participants). Results for the two groups were similar. Overall, 66.3% indicated they would accept resect and discard. Participants who were younger, white, and seen at the ambulatory surgery center (vs the hospital outpatient department) were more likely to accept. Those declining resect and discard were more likely to be willing to pay some amount out-of-pocket to have diminutive polyps checked by pathology (97.1% vs 44.5%). Of those unwilling to accept resect and discard, 49.8% would require a zero chance of cancer in diminutive polyps before accepting resect and discard. Conclusions Patient acceptance of resect and discard appears promising but is quite variable. Eliciting individual patient acceptance of resect and discard will be important during initial implementation into clinical practice

Endoscopic control of polyp burden and expansion of surveillance intervals in serrated polyposis syndrome

Introduction Serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) increases colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. We describe the numbers of colonoscopies and polypectomies performed to achieve and maintain low polyp burdens, and the feasibility of expanding surveillance intervals in patients who achieve endoscopic control. Methods We retrospectively evaluated a prospectively collected database on 115 SPS patients undergoing surveillance at Indiana University Hospital between June 2005 and May 2018. The endoscopist provided surveillance interval recommendations based on polyp burden. Endoscopic control was considered successful if surveillance examinations exhibited fewer polyps and if no or only an occasional polyp ≥1 cm in size was present at follow-up. Initial control was designated the clearing phase and the maintenance phase was surveillance after control was established. Results In total, 87 patients (75.7%) achieved endoscopic control, with some others in the clearing phase at this writing. Achieving control required a mean of 2.84 colonoscopies (including the baseline) over 20.4 months and a mean total 27.9 polyp resections. After establishing control, 71 patients were recommended to receive ≥24-month follow-up. Of those, 60 patients (69.0% of patients with initial control) continued surveillance at our center. The mean interval between colonoscopies during maintenance was 19.3 months with 6.74 mean polypectomies per procedure on polyps primarily <1 cm. There were no incident cancers or colon surgeries during maintenance. Conclusion Most patients achieved control of polyp burden with 2 to 3 colonoscopies over 1 to 2 years. After reaching control, 60 patients returned at intervals up to 24 months with no incident cancers and no surgeries required. Expansion of surveillance intervals to 24 months is effective and safe for many SPS patients who reach control of polyp burden

Cold snare polypectomy effectively reduces polyp burden in familial adenomatous polyposis

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is generally managed by colectomy, but in some cases surgery is delayed and polyp burdens are managed endoscopically. We aimed to describe the use of cold snare polypectomy to control the polyp burden in selected patients with FAP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. Polyps were counted and the range of polyp size recorded at each examination. Patients with a reduction in polyp number and mean size were considered to have successful endoscopic reduction of their polyp burdens. RESULTS: Of 79 patients with FAP, 21 had an attempt at delaying surgery by cold snaring of at least 30 adenomas, and had at least one follow-up at our institution. Ten patients had intact colons, 6 had intact rectums, and 5 had heavy polyp burdens in an ileo-anal pouch. Among the 21 patients, the mean number of polyps resected at the first examination was 85, range 30 - 342. Nineteen of 21 patients had fewer polyps at the second examination, and of those, only one had any persistence of adenomas ≥ 1 cm in size. During follow-up, two patients underwent surgical resection and the remainder had reductions in their polyp burdens at follow-up endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Cold snare polypectomy effectively reduces polyp burden in selected FAP patients