Laparoscopic management of snare entrapment during colonoscopic polypectomy

Colonoscopic polypectomy reduces the risk of colon cancer development by interrupting the adenoma to carcinoma progression. A variety of techniques are available to perform polypectomy including the use of forceps or snare device with or without electrocautery. While forceps polypectomy tends to be the procedure of choice for small polyps, snare polypectomy has been found to be the preferred method for removal of polyps 1 cm or greater in size. The two most common post-polypectomy complications are bleeding and perforation. Though rare in the case of polypectomy, any mechanical device used in a procedure has an inherent risk of malfunction. Here, we present a case of an attempted snare polypectomy with malfunctioning of the device, failure of endoscopic retrieval and subsequent management with laparoscopic resection of the affected segment.