Characteristics of Patients with Colonic Polyps Requiring Segmental Resection

BACKGROUND: It is unclear if the availability of new techniques for removal of large colonic polyps has affected the use of segmental colon resection. We sought to evaluate the characteristics of polyps undergoing surgical resection, including involvement of therapeutic gastroenterologists (TG). METHODS: 484 patients had a colonic resection; 165 (34%) were identified from the pathology database with polyp, adenoma, or mass in the clinical history field; these charts were reviewed. RESULTS: 128 patients (mean age 68 yrs, 72% male) were included. The mean polyp size was 2.9 cm (0.4 cm–12.0 cm). Adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in 50 (39.1%). 97 (75.8%) patients had a polyp that was felt to be unresectable by EMR, and 31 (24.2%) underwent successful EMR followed by surgery for adenocarcinoma (n = 29). The indication for surgery in those with unresectable polyps was variable and was not clearly documented in 51 (52.6%); only 17 of these patients (17.5%) had a TG involved. CONCLUSION: A high proportion of polyps managed by segmental resection did not contain adenocarcinoma. This data suggests that even in a tertiary care center where advanced endoscopic techniques are easily available, they are not always utilized. Educational endeavors to ensure that ideal pathways of intervention are utilized require implementation.