Abstract
Background and study aims The completeness of a polyp resection is an important determinant of quality in colonoscopy,
and may reduce incidence of interval cancers. Incomplete resection rates (IRR) vary
widely and range from 6.5 % to 22.7 %. Residual disease is more likely with larger
polyps, for sessile serrated adenomas, and with more proximal lesions. Chromoendoscopy
is increasingly employed in lesion detection. The aims of this study were to assess
local IRR, and to determine whether chromoendoscopy could correctly identify residual
disease post polypectomy.
Patients and methods This was a prospective study examining post polypectomy sites. Chromoendoscopy (0.13 %
indigo carmine) was applied to resection bases to identify residual disease. Targeted
base biopsies were taken from identified residual disease (positive group) or random
base biopsies were taken when a clear base was visualised (negative group). Overall
rates of incomplete resection were documented. Reported rates post chromoendoscopy
and actual histological rates were documented and compared.
Results A total of 102 polyps were identified for inclusion, of which 15 % (n = 16) were
excluded. Resection quality was evaluated in 86 polyps of 61 patients (female n = 33
54 %; mean Age 62.3 years). Polyps were mainly removed by cold snare (n = 71, 82.5 %).
Most polyps (n = 58, 67 %) measured between 5 to 10 mm. Polyps were largely located
in the right colon (n = 57, 66 %). Overall histological residual disease occurred
in 17 /86 (19.6 %). Chromoendoscopy correctly identified residual disease in 13 of
17 bases (76.5 %). Only four of /86 (4.6 %) of polyp bases were missclassified post-chromoendoscopy
(odds ratio 0.284 (95 % CI 0.0857–0.9409), P = 0.03).
Conclusion Indigo carmine chromoendoscopy improves early detection of residual disease post polypectomy,
reducing incomplete resection rates.
