Large-bowel polypectomy via the colonoscope: experience with 80 polyps

The experience of two colonoscopy units in managing 88 patients referred with 114 suspected colonic polyps are presented. Almost a quarter of the suspected polyps were artefacts, while some actual polyps were not visualized at the initial colonoscopy. All but 10 of the confirmed polyps were successfully snared. Morbidity was low. Five of the polyps were malignant. The technical aspect of snaring and of setting up colonoscopy units are discussed. It is considered that colonoscopic polypectomy is the optimum management of colonic polyps.