Width and depth of resection for small colorectal polyps: hot versus cold snare polypectomy

Curability is associated with resection width and depth in polypectomy. We evaluated the resection width and depth achieved with hot snare polypectomy (HSP) and cold snare polypectomy (CSP) for small colorectal polyps.

In this single-center, prospective, randomized controlled study, patients with rectal or rectosigmoid polyps ≤10 mm in diameter were treated with HSP or CSP. Resection width was evaluated as mucosal defect size, measured immediately postprocedure and 1 day later. Resection depth was histologically evaluated using obtained specimens.

Fifty-two patients were enrolled. Mean lesion size was 5.6 mm with HSP (n = 27) and 5.8 mm with CSP (n = 25). Mean mucosal defect diameter immediately after HSP and CSP was 5.1 mm and 7.5 mm, respectively (P < .001). The diameter 1 day after the procedure increased by 29% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17%-41%) with HSP and decreased by 25% (95% CI, 18%-32%) with CSP (P < .001). Muscularis mucosa was obtained similarly with HSP and CSP (96% [95% CI, 82%-99%] vs 92% [95% CI, 75%-98%]; P = .603). Submucosal tissue was obtained significantly more frequently with HSP than with CSP (81% [95% CI, 63%-92%] vs 24% [95% CI, 11%-43%]; P < .001).

The resection width immediately after CSP was larger than that after HSP but was significantly smaller at day 1 after resection. Although the resection depth after CSP was more superficial, muscularis mucosa was obtained in most specimens. Thus, CSP has sufficient resection width and depth to enable complete polyp resection and potentially has a superior safety profile than HSP.