Evaluation of complications related to therapeutic colonoscopy using the bipolar snare

Background

The complications with therapeutic colonoscopy reported to date have been associated with the monopolar snare, and the frequency of complications related to use of the bipolar snare is uncertain. This study aimed too investigate the incidence of bleeding and perforation associated with the bipolar snare and to identify the risk factors for bleeding.

Methods

Between October 2001 and December 2008, all patients with colorectal polyps treated using the bipolar snare were enrolled in this retrospective study. Clinical data were assembled from an electronic database. The incidence of bleeding and perforation was investigated, and the risk factors for bleeding also were determined using multivariate analysis.

Results

This study collected 4,719 patients with 10,513 lesions. Perforation occurred for eight patients (0.17%) and bleeding in 66 patients (1.4%). Age younger than 60?years was a significant risk factor for bleeding (P?P?P?P?P?Conclusions The complication rates for the bipolar snare appear to be comparable with those for the monopolar snare based on comparison of the results reported in the literature. Age (<60?years), lesion size (??10?mm), macroscopic type (pedunculated), and lesion location (rectum) are independent risk factors for bleeding.