Laparoscopic resection of bleeding gastric polyps

Gastric polyps account for a small proportion of gastric neoplasms. Many of them presented with acute or chronic bleeding. Endoscopic polypectomy is the preferred treatment modality. However, endoscopic polypectomy is often incomplete and impossible for large polyps. Large and intramural polyps require laparotomy and excision. From June to October 1995, four patients with bleeding gastric polyps received laparoscopic resection in our unit. All were women, aged 40-78, with polyps 2-6 cm in diameter. One patient underwent emergency surgery for active bleeding. The others received elective operations. Operating time ranged from 90 to 120 min. There was no perioperative morbidity or mortality. Full diet was resumed by the 4th postoperative day. The average postoperative hospital stay was 5. 3 days (4-7). Laparoscopic resection of gastric polyp is a preferable treatment option when endoscopic treatment fails.