title: Tiny snares prove safe and effective for removal of diminutive colorectal polyps.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201-3098.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: McAfee
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Katon
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020685:Colonoscopes; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007417:Intestinal Polyps / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*