title: Only the size of resected polyps is an independent risk factor for delayed postpolypectomy hemorrhage: a 10-year single-center case-control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A colonoscopic polypectomy is an important procedure for preventing colorectal cancer, but it is not free from complications. Delayed hemorrhage after a colonoscopic polypectomy is one infrequent, but serious, complication. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for delayed hemorrhage after a colonoscopic polypectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective case-control study based on medical records from a single gastroenterology center. The records of 7,217 patients who underwent a colonoscopic polypectomy between March 2002 and March 2012 were reviewed, and 92 patients and 276 controls were selected. Data collected included comorbidity, use of antiplatelet agents, size and number of resected polyps, histology and gross morphology of resected polyps, resection method, and use of prophylactic hemostasis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average time between the procedure and bleeding was 2.71 ± 1.55 days. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that the size of the polyps was the only and most important predictor of delayed hemorrhage after a colonoscopic polypectomy (odds ratio, 2.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-1.27; P = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The size of resected polyps was the only independent risk factor for delayed bleeding after a colonoscopic polypectomy. The size of a polyp, as revealed by the colonoscopic procedure, may aid in making decisions, such as the decision to conduct a prophylactic hemostatic procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hee Seok
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Sun Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Hwan
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Sun Hyung
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Kyu
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Jeong
keywords: Colonoscopy; Complication; Hemorrhage; Polypectomy