Follow-up of hot biopsy forceps treatment of diminutive colonic polyps

Although the hot biopsy technique is widely used to treat diminutive colon polyps, there is concern over its efficacy and safety. Our study involved 39 patients undergoing routine colonoscopy in whom 62 diminutive polyps were found in the rectosigmoid. These lesions were treated with hot biopsy forceps in the standard manner. Flexible sigmoidoscopy was repeated 1 and 2 weeks later with the original treatment sites being identified. Eleven of the 62 sites (17%) revealed persistent viable polyp remnants, indicating incomplete treatment. In terms of safety, there were no clinical complications in this small study and most post-biopsy ulcers were healed by 2 weeks. This study shows that the hot biopsy technique may be unreliable in eradicating diminutive colon polyps.