Korean Guidelines for Colonoscopic Polypectomy

Abstract

There are indirect evidences to suggest that 80% of colorectal cancers (CRC) develop from adenomatous polyps andthat, on average, it takes 10 years for a small polyp to transform into invasive CRC. In multiple cohort studies,colonoscopic polypectomy has been shown to significantly reduce the expected incidence of CRC by 76% to 90%. Colonoscopic polypectomy is performed frequently in primary outpatient clinics and secondary and tertiary medical centersin Korea. However, there are no evidence-based, procedural guidelines for the appropriate performance of this procedure,including the technical aspects. For the guideline presented here, PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane Library literaturesearches were performed. When little or no data from well-designed prospective trials were available, an emphasis wasplaced on the results from large series and reports from recognized experts. Thus, these guidelines for colonoscopicpolypectomy are based on a critical review of the available data as well as expert consensus. Further controlled clinicalstudies are needed to clarify aspects of this statement, and revision may be necessary as new data become available. This guideline is intended to be an educational device to provide information that may assist endoscopists in providingcare to patients. This guideline is not a rule and should not be construed as a legal standard of care or as encouraging,advocating, requiring, or discouraging any particular treatment. Clinical decisions for any particular case involve a complexanalysis of the patient’s condition and the available courses of action.