Endoscopic resection of local recurrences of diminutive polyps by cold forceps polypectomy

Cold forceps polypectomy (CFP) is an effective treatment for diminutive colorectal polyps. However, polyps occasionally recur, and there is no consensus on their long-term clinical management. Therefore, we investigated the short- and long-term clinical outcomes of re-CFP for recurrent diminutive colorectal polyps.

This was a follow-up of a multicenter, prospective study investigating the clinical outcomes of diminutive colorectal polyps excised by CFP with narrowband imaging-enhanced endoscopy and jumbo forceps. We evaluated short-term outcomes of re-CFP and patients at 1-year follow-up post re-CFP for recurrent colorectal polyps to determine long-term recurrence rates. Additionally, complete resection rates, clinicopathological features, number of forceps bites, and rate of short-term adverse events managed by re-CFP were evaluated.

At 1-year follow-up, local recurrence was identified in 18 patients from the original study. The mean size of local recurrent polyps was 1.5 ± 0.6 mm, and all recurrent lesions were < 3 mm. Re-CFP could successfully excise locally recurrent polyps in all cases. All recurrent lesions were low-grade adenomas; no adverse events were reported. Additionally, 16 of 18 patients were evaluated endoscopically at 2-year follow-up; no recurrence was observed.

Recurrent lesions following initial CFP were small and pathologically benign, and re-CFP was an effective treatment.