Non-invasive colonoscopic polypectomy. Review of 100 cases.

Colonoscopic polypectomy was done in one hundred patients. One hundred eighty-three polyps were removed from these patients during 111 colonoscopies and eight malignant polyps were found. The material suggests that pedunculated malignant polyps, when the stalk is clear of carcinoma, can be cured through colonoscopic polypectomy, thus obviating the need for laparotomy. At present, however, more cases and a longer follow-up are needed before this can be established. There were no deaths and no perforations. There were two cases of bleeding, only one requiring transfusion. The procedure costs less and entails less time in hospital than laparotomy, colotomy and polypectomy.