Tiny snares prove safe and effective for removal of diminutive colorectal polyps

The efficacy of two new tiny snares has been evaluated for removal of diminutive (7 mm or less) colorectal polyps. The small size of the snares facilitates direct placement over a polyp, after which resection can be performed using monopolar current. Data were prospectively collected on 183 polyps, 2 to 7 mm in diameter, encountered in 90 patients. Polyp diameter, location relative to the splenic flexure, and histologic characteristics were noted, as were retrieval rate and complications. Ninety-four percent of the polyps could be removed with a tiny snare, and 88% of these were recovered. Forty percent of the polyps were located proximal to the splenic flexure, and 69% were neoplastic. The only complication was major hemorrhage in 1 patient (0.5%), in whom snare polypectomy without current application was used. Tiny snares can effectively and safely be used to remove diminutive colorectal polyps, and they may make "hot biopsy" forceps obsolete.