Real-world local recurrence rate after cold polypectomy in colorectal polyps less than 10 mm using propensity score matching

BACKGROUND: Cold polypectomy (CP) is a simple and safe procedure for polyps less than 10 mm in size; however, there is concern about local recurrence following CP because of unidentified margins of excised specimens and the lack of tumor suppression effect by coagulation. Some clinical trials have evaluated local persistent recurrence; their results suggest that a higher rate of local recurrence has not been documented so far. There were few reports that observed the course over long periods of time after CP in clinical practice. AIM: To evaluate the presence of local recurrence following CP and hot polypectomy (HP) using propensity score matching. METHODS: We analyzed 275 patients who underwent polypectomy for non-pedunculated colorectal polyps less than 10 mm (959 Lesions) between October 2016 and 2017 and underwent follow-up endoscopy subsequently. We divided them into the CP group (706 Lesions), wherein CP was performed, and the HP group (253 Lesions), wherein HP was performed. Using propensity score matching, we extracted 215 Lesions in each group and evaluated the local recurrence and content of CP in the real clinic and adverse events using medical records. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, there were no significant differences in the patients’ and their endoscopic background (age, use of antithrombotics, indications, size, morphology, location of polyps, and polypectomy device) between the groups. The mean duration between colorectal polypectomy and the next follow-up colonoscopy was 17.5 ± 7.1 (range, 6-39) mo in the CP group and 15.7 ± 6.0 (range, 6-35) mo in the HP group, which was significantly longer in the CP group (P = 0.005). The local recurrence rate was 0.93% in the CP group and 0.93% in the HP group, without a significant difference (P = 0.688). Additionally, no differences were observed in the macroscopic en bloc resection rate, histopathological complete resection rate, and pathological results between the groups. Adverse events did not occur in either group. CONCLUSION: Local recurrence after CP was equivalent to that following HP in clinical practice. CP is useful and safe in the treatment of non-pedunculated polyps of less than 10 mm.