Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR&D Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

Colonoscopy with polypectomy is associated with a low rate of complications in patients with cirrhosis.

Huang RJ, Perumpail RB, Thosani N, Cheung R, Friedland S. Colonoscopy with polypectomy is associated with a low rate of complications in patients with cirrhosis. Endoscopy international open. 2016 Sep 1; 4(9):E947-52.

Related HSR&D Project(s)

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.
   Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions



Abstract:

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Cirrhotic patients are at a theoretically increased risk of bleeding. The safety of polypectomy in cirrhosis is poorly defined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients with cirrhosis who underwent colonoscopic polypectomy at a tertiary-care hospital. Patient characteristics and polyp data were collected. Development of complications including immediate bleeding, delayed bleeding, hospitalization, blood transfusion, perforation, and death were recorded to 30-day follow-up.?Clinical characteristics between bleeders and non-bleeders were compared, and predictors of bleeding were determined. RESULTS: A total of 307 colonoscopies with 638 polypectomies were identified. Immediate bleeding occurred in 7.5?% (95?% CI 4.6?%?-?10.4?%) and delayed bleeding occurred in 0.3?% (95?% CI 0.0?%?-?0.9?%) of colonoscopies. All cases of immediate bleeding were controlled endoscopically and none resulted in serious complication. The rate of hospitalization was 0.7?% (95?% CI 0.0?%?-?1.6?%) and repeat colonoscopy 0.3?% (95?% CI 0.0?%?-?0.9?%); no cases of perforation, blood transfusion, or death occurred. Lower platelet count, higher INR, presence of ascites, and presence of esophageal varices were associated with increased risk of bleeding. Use of electrocautery was associated with a lower risk of immediate bleeding. There was no significant difference between bleeding and non-bleeding polyps with regard to size, morphology, and histology. CONCLUSIONS: Colonoscopy with polypectomy appears safe in patients with cirrhosis. There is a low risk of major complications. The risk of immediate bleeding appears higher than an average risk population; however, most bleeding is self-limited or can be controlled endoscopically. Bleeding tends to occur with more advanced liver disease. Both the sequelae of portal hypertension and coagulation abnormalities are predictive of bleeding.





Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.