Laparoscopic-assisted coloscopic polypectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Patients with colorectal polyps often display a large kink or distinct mucosal fold in the area where the polypectomy is to take place. As a result, there is a higher risk of perforation or partial ablation during an endoscopic polypectomy. Is it safer to perform an endoscopic polypectomy using the control and assistance of a laparoscope? Can a segment resection of the colon that would otherwise be necessary be avoided?


METHODS
An endoscopic polypectomy using a laparoscope was conducted on six patients whose colorectal polyps were in an anatomically unfavorable location. The need for an open or laparoscopic segment resection or colotomy was indicated in all cases. The growth was located in the rectosigmoidal transition in five patients and in the region of the left flexure in one patient. We decided that an endoscopic polypectomy using the assistance of a laparoscope would be the most comfortable and technically elegant method, as well as easy. Except the well-known risks of laparoscopy and endoscopic polypectomy, no other risks have been seen in our patients. The affected area of the colon, the sigma, and the left flexure were mobilized and stretched as much as possible to enable a simultaneous and low-risk endoscopic polypectomy. In one case, we had to conduct a fractionated ablation because of a very wide-based finding.


RESULTS
The operation averaged 57 minutes, and no operation-specific complications were observed. Postoperative recovery in the hospital was very short and averaged 2.5 days. The histopathologic findings were benign in all cases, but a serious dysplasia was diagnosed in one patient.


CONCLUSIONS
The laparoscopic-assisted polypectomy is a safe method to remove even complicated polyps in anatomically unfavorable locations.
Prohm
P
P
Department of Colorectal Surgery, Kliniken St. Antonius, University Witten/Herdecke, Wuppertal, Germany.
Weber
J
J
Bönner
C
C
D003106:Colon / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000601:surgery*; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000517:prevention & control; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors