Does Routine Submucosal Injection Improve Complete Resection of 4-20 mm Neoplastic Colorectal Polyps?

Non-detection and incomplete resection of neoplastic colorectal polyps have been identified as the main risk factors for the development of CRC in patients after a colonoscopy. Between 7% and 9% of all newly diagnosed CRCs are estimated to be such "interval cancers," occurring after a previous colonoscopy and before the next surveillance examination. The vast majority of interval cancers are caused by incomplete detection or resection during colonoscopy examination. The contribution of incomplete resection towards interval cancer has recently been pointed out by a panel of experts as one of the cornerstones of CRC prevention that need to be addressed in future research studies. The primary aim of this study is to examine the incomplete adenoma resection rates when performing a cold snare polypectomy in conjunction with a submucosal injection for endoscopic resection of 4-20 mm non-pedunculated colorectal polyps. The subjects are patients, men and women, aged between 45-80 years old that are scheduled for a colonoscopy. The secondary aims are to identify procedure-related complication rates and patient-, polyp-, and endoscopist-related factors associated with incomplete adenoma resection.

Inclusion criteria

• Signed consent form; aged 45-80 years old, indication to undergo a colonoscopy

Exclusion criteria

• Known inflammatory bowel disease; active colitis; coagulopathy; familial polyposis syndrome; poor general health, defined as an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status class >3; emergency colonoscopies, hospitalized patients or patients referred from the emergency room.