Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate adverse events from snare polypectomy. Methods: We retrospectively analysed the rate of complications of 1687 snare polypectomies carried out in 8447 colonoscopies between 2001 and 2007 at two Medical Institutions. Student t test was used for statistical analysis of mean and chi-square to compare absolute numbers. A significant p-value was defined as < 0,05. Results: Of the 1687 colonoscopic polypectomies 203 were performed in polyps larger than 2 cm in diameter ( range 2-10 cm ). In this group 24 (11,8%) had immediate bleeding, against 1 ( 0,07%) smaller than 2 cm p<0,01. Only one, larger than 2 cm, needed surgery to control bleeding episod p<0,01. Delayed bleeding occurred in 6 (0,35%).None required surgery. The age group for bleeding post-polypectomy did not differ, being 59,8±6,7 for immediate bleeding, 60±9,8 for delayed and 63,8±16,3 for no bleeding p>0,05.Post-polypectomy syndrome occurred in 6 patients (0,35%). In polyps larger than 2 cm, piecemeal resection was performed more often in sessile than in pedunculated ones 89/116 ( 77%) versus 11/87 (13%) p<0,01. Invasive carcinoma was present in 40 adenoma larger than 2 cm (19,7%). Conclusion: Snare polypectomy is safe procedure, being bleeding the most common complication, related with polyp size mainly its base, treated most of the time endoscopically. Perforation being the next, treated too without surgery.
Colon; Colooscopy; Polyp; Polypectomy; Complication
