Endoscopic mucosal resection of colorectal polyps in typical UK hospitals

To evaluate the outcomes of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for colorectal polyps, with particular regard to procedural complications and recurrence rate, in typical United Kingdom (UK) hospitals that perform an average of about 25 colonic EMRs per year.

A total of 239 colorectal polyps (≥ 10 mm) resected from 199 patients referred to Rochdale Infirmary, Salford Royal Hospital and Royal Oldham Hospital for EMR between January 2003 and January 2009 were studied.

The mean size of polyps resected was 19.6 ± 12.4 mm (range 10-80 mm). The overall major complication rate was 2.1%. Complications were less frequent with non-adenomas compared with the other groups (Pearson's χ(2) test, P < 0.0001). Resections of larger-sized polyps were more likely to result in complications (unpaired t-test, P = 0.021). Recurrence was associated with histology, with carcinoma-in-situ more likely to recur compared with low-grade dysplasia [hazard ratio (HR) 186.7, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 8.81-3953.02, P = 0.001]. Distal lesions were also more likely to recur compared with right-sided and transverse colon lesions (HR 5.93, 95% CI: 1.35-26.18, P = 0.019).

EMR for colorectal polyps can be performed safely and effectively in typical UK hospitals. Stricter follow-up is required for histologically advanced lesions due to increased recurrence risk.