There are no evidence-based, procedural guidelines to appropriately perform a colon polypectomy. Thus, we investigated the treatment modality for colon polypectomy in Korea, using a web-based e-mail survey.

A questionnaire of preferred treatment modality for colon polypectomy was sent via e-mail to members of the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases and primary care physicians who performed colonoscopies as a screening or surveillance program nationwide. Among 425 colonoscopists who were sent the e-mail, 263 replied. We analysed data from 252 colonoscopists who had performed colon polypectomies.

The stopping time for antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy before a colon polypectomy had a tendency to increase and the restarting time for these drugs was delayed as polyp size increased. Colonoscopists preferred cold biopsy removal for polyps <5 mm in size and a hot snare polypectomy after injecting normal saline and epinephrine mixture for polyps ≥5 mm in size. More than half of colonoscopists preferred observation rather than additional procedures for adenomas with incomplete resection. In contrast, most colonoscopists recommended additional procedures, such as endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection or surgery for an advanced adenoma with incomplete resection. The most preferred prophylactic treatment for immediate postpolypectomy bleeding was hemoclipping.

Various treatment modalities were used for a colon polypectomy because there are few guidelines for performing a colon polypectomy based on a critical review of the available data. Further well-designed, prospective studies are needed to develop evidence-based guidelines for colon polypectomy.