title: Laparoscopic resection for colorectal polyps: a single institution experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endoscopic polypectomy, although routinely used for the treatment of colorectal polyps, may be limited by polyp size, location and histology. Laparoscopic resection for malignant polyps and polyps not amenable to endoscopic removal has the advantage of adequate disease clearance as well as the short-term benefits of laparoscopic surgery. This study evaluates the outcomes of such an approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who had laparoscopic resection for colorectal polyps between January 2005 and July 2008 were identified from a prospective database. Polyps that were malignant, large, difficult to snare or incompletely excised, were included. Demographics, perioperative details and histopathology were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-eight patients (44 male) with a median age of 62.5 years (range 24-86) were studied. The majority (79%) were laparoscopic anterior resections for sigmoid or rectal polyps. Median operating time was 125 min (range, 65-225). Eight cases (10.3%) were converted to open mainly due to adhesions. There was no post-operative mortality. Perioperative complications occurred in seven patients (8.9%). Median hospital stay was 6 days (range 4-78). Median polyp size was 20 mm (range, 5-75). There were 44 benign polyps (55.7%); majority were tubulovillous adenomas (n= 22), and tubular adenomas (n= 10). Thirty-five patients (44.3%) had invasive cancer, with T1 (n= 27) and T2 (n= 2) tumours. Three of these patients (8.6%) had lymph node metastases. Median number of lymph nodes sampled was six (range 0-23).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic resection is safe and effective for colorectal polyps not amenable to colonoscopic removal, and is especially important for adequate clearance in the case of malignant polyps.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colorectal Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: Jiunn-Herng
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Kheng-Hong
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Boon-Swee
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Ooi
authors.forename: Kok-Sun
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Jit-Fong
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Choong-Leong
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Kong-Weng
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Eu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult