Polypectomy combined with Hot Biopsy is an electrosurgery procedure used for removing polyps. The purpose of Polypecctomy with Hot Biopsy is to remove pedunculated and flat polyps, while also eliminating very small polyps. Hot Biopsy is performed as a resection technique under endoscopic guidance to snare around the polyp or press onto it for its removal.
2-3 days
There are three types of polyp removal procedures that include Colorectal Polyp removal, snare polypectomy and surgery for colon or rectal polyp. The reasons for performing the procedures involve removal of suspected cancerous tumours, repairing abnormal rectal bleeding and removal of abnormal tissues for examination at the pathology laboratory.
Snare polypectomy is a surgical procedure to remove predunculated and flat polyps to prevent them from becoming cancerous. Polypectomy with hot biopsy is used to eliminate small polyps, measuring up to 5 mm. Most gastrointestinal polyps are removed with colonoscopy.
When polyps grow within the inner lining of the colon, they are better accessed and removed by polypectomy combined with hot biopsy. The idea is to have a better grasp of the polyp tips with hot biopsy forceps to snare around the polyps. High-frequency electric currents are passed through the snare to cut off the tip of the polyp while thermally coagulating the vasculature lining.
The major advantage of polypectomy with hot biopsy is to minimize bleeding by avoiding a cold cut when closing the snare. Once cut off from the mucosal surface, the polyp is easily retrieved. Flat and regional polyps are best accessed with hot biopsy forceps that allow making twisted and rigid wire snares for the resection procedure.
The incisions made by the hot biopsy forceps depend upon the type of wires used, which are soft, pliable, thick, thin or crescent shaped. Soft and pliable wires require less force to close and open them while snaring the polyps, thick diameter wires minimize bleeding, thin wires ensure clean and rapid cut, while crescent-shaped wires help in easy capture of flat lesions. The type of wire chosen depends upon the share and size of the polyps.
Usually, large polyps are not cut in one step. Step-by-step resections are done to cut large polyps. Nowadays, large polyps are removed using piecemeal resection that reduces the risk of bleeding and ensures complete control during the surgery. Made out of a flexible sheath, the forceps and snares allow smooth insertion and passage through the polyps easily. Before Polypectomy treatment, you should follow a few instructions as discussed below.
After the procedure, you are transferred to the recovery unit where the doctor monitors your situation when the sedation wears off. There are certain possible risks associated with the procedure that include excessive bleeding from the wound and signs of infections arising from an accidental colon perforation. The doctor immediately takes care of the symptoms with the right medications and other techniques.
The recovery time of polypectomy with hot biopsy is normally 2-3 weeks. At home, you should start getting back to normal activities, complete your course of prescribed medicines, take stool softeners to help in its smooth passage, avoid taking aspirins, start taking antibiotic medications, etc. You should be on a liquid diet, until your gastrointestinal tract start to function properly.