Use of dual knife for large pedunculated colorectal polyps.

Background: Endoscopic resection of large pedunculated colorectal polyps is technically difficult, especially when the polyps are so large that it is either not possible or too difficult to resect them using a conventional polypectomy snare.

Objective: To facilitate the removal of pedunculated colorectal polyps, we developed a new technique using a combination of a dual knife and preventive hemostatic procedures.

Methods: Nine patients (5 men and 4 women; mean age, 59.8 y; range, 49 to 79 y) with pedunculated polyps >2 cm in diameter were treated with this technique. A dual knife and endoclips or an endoloop were used as needed.

Results: All lesions, except for 1 polyp, were resected endoscopically. The mean time for complete resection was 8.5 minutes (range, 1.5 to 16 min). The procedure time decreased significantly after the fifth case (168 vs. 746 s, P=0.0009). No hemorrhage, perforation, or other complications occurred during follow-up among the endoscopically resected cases.

Conclusions: Combined use of a dual knife and prophylactic hemostatic procedures is a feasible alternative technique for removing large pedunculated colorectal polyps when conventional snare resection is impossible or difficult.