Endoscopic Management of Large (≥2 cm) Non-pedunculated Colorectal Polyps: Impact of Polyp Morphology on Outcomes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Referrals for endoscopic management of large non-pedunculated (NP) colorectal polyps have increased as new techniques have emerged. The outcomes for referred large NP polyps based on the polyp morphology were investigated METHODS: A retrospective review of patients referred for large (≥20 mm) NP polyp management from January 2010 through June 2014 was completed. Polyp morphology was classified as either a NP polyp with depression (M1) or NP polyp with no depression (M0). Differences in treatment, histology, adverse events, outcomes at follow-up including residual disease, and need for surgical treatment were determined by morphology for all NP polyps ≥20 mm in size.

RESULTS

One-hundred and sixty-nine M1 and 136 M0 polyps ≥20 mm were removed endoscopically during the review period. Mean size was 31.9 ± 11.0 mm in M1, and 26.8 ± 9.5 mm in M0 group (p < 0.0001). En bloc resection was possible in 18.3 % of M1 and 30.9 % of M0 lesions (p = 0.011) with endoscopic submucosal dissection used in 13 and 2.2 % of polyps, respectively (p < 0.0001). Residual polyp was found in 26.5 % (27/102) of M1 and 13.6 % (12/88) of M0 patients at surveillance colonoscopy (p = 0.029). On multivariate analysis, piecemeal resection and M1 morphology showed significant association with residual polyp (OR 4.23, 95 % CI 1.23-14.59, p = 0.022, and OR 2.15, 95 % CI 1.004-4.62, p = 0.049, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Effective endoscopic management of large NP colorectal polyps, especially polyps without depression (M0), can be accomplished in the great majority of patients. Polyp morphology, particularly the presence or absence of depression, is a useful tool which influenced treatment, histology, and outcomes.