Comparison of newly found polyps after removal of small colorectal polyps with cold or hot snare polypectomy

There are limited data regarding polyp recurrence following cold or hot snare polypectomy for small colorectal polyps. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of newly found polyp after cold or hot snare polypectomy and the predictive factors.

This was a retrospective case-control study at a single municipal hospital. Patients undergoing cold or hot snare polypectomy for colorectal polyps≤8 mm included in a previous study (Digestion 2011; 84:78) were enrolled. Newly found polyps were defined as polyps detected at follow-up colonoscopy within 3 years. Predictive factors for new polyps were assessed by multivariate analysis using logistic regression.

A total of 72 patients (female 22, mean age 68) with 184 polyps were enrolled. Eighty-nine polyps (mean size±SD, 5.3±2 mm) were resected with cold snare while 95 polyps (mean size 5.5±6 mm) were resected with hot snare polypectomy. Twenty-four new polyps (<5 mm) were found at follow-up. No polypectomy scars were detected in the vicinity of the new polyps. The prevalence of new polyps was similar (i.e., cold vs. hot snare polypectomy; 23% vs. 19%, P=0.68). Multivariate analysis revealed that the removal of ≥4 polyps was an independent predictor associated with new polyps (odds ratio:7.8, 95% confidence interval: 2.1-32, P=0.0022).

Diminutive polyps were newly found with similar prevalence after cold or hot snare polypectomy, but there were no recurrent polyps detected.