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Polyps are abnormal tissue growths that can form on any part of your body. They usually begin as an ulcer that develops along the colon or stomach before mutating into a polyp. In most cases, these polyps can remain undetected unless they start exhibiting symptoms of pain or discomfort.
In such cases, tests and investigative procedures may be recommended by our doctor to detect signs of tumours or growths.
A polypectomy is a surgical procedure to remove polyps, usually in the stomach or colon (large intestine). It is generally done during a gastroscopy or colonoscopy, where our doctor can examine the entire large intestine, together with your rectum and anus.
Through such investigations, our doctor will determine the location of any abnormal growths and remove the polyps where necessary. It is typically done together with a histology to examine if the growths are cancerous or non-cancerous and, in doing so, determine if further treatment is needed.
Polyps are usually removed to minimise the risk of them developing into a more severe condition such as cancer.
A polypectomy is a simple and minimally invasive procedure with a high success rate and a low risk of complication.
Most people with polyps may not experience any symptoms at all. Most adults may have polyps that go undetected until pain or discomfort sets in.
In such cases, the polyps may have developed to a larger size, where they may cause pain, bleeding, nausea, or vomiting.
In such cases, our doctor will recommend investigative procedures such as a gastroscopy or endoscopy to detect polyps and simultaneously have them removed.
The primary goal of polypectomy is to remove unusual growth or tumours in the body before they become cancerous. Many tumours start as a benign (non-cancerous) growth before becoming malignant (cancerous).
An investigative procedure such as a gastroscopy or colonoscopy helps to detect the presence of these polyps. If polyps are found, a polypectomy is performed, and the growth is removed. Tissue samples taken from the polyps will then be sent for testing to determine if they are cancerous before our doctor recommends the next course of action.
In most cases, if a patient is experiencing discomfort or symptoms relating to polyps such as abdominal pain or bowel irregularities, a polypectomy will help relieve these symptoms and aid in recovery.
As most polypectomy will be conducted with a gastroscopy or colonoscopy, you will be required to ensure that your gastrointestinal tract is clear from visual obstruction.
Patients undergoing a polypectomy will need to undergo bowel preparation (bowel prep) 24 hours before the procedure. This bowel preparation will involve consuming a laxative to help clear the bowels and remove any possible obstructions in the colon.
To ensure that patients do not have an increased urge to use the washroom after the bowel prep, they must undergo a liquid diet between 24 to 48 hours before the procedure. This diet typically includes soup, soft boiled eggs, plain coffee or tea or sports drinks.
You may also be advised to stop certain medications such as blood thinners, iron supplements and certain diabetes medicines leading to the day of the procedure. If there are any other medications or supplements you are taking daily, you are advised to inform our doctor for advice on whether you should stop them.
As a precaution, patients are advised to arrange for an accompanying adult after the procedure as they may be recovering from the sedation administered.
A polypectomy is usually conducted with a gastroscopy or colonoscopy.
Anaesthesia is administered before the procedure to prepare you for the investigation, and you will be unconscious during the process.
An endoscope will be inserted through your throat and progress down the oesophagus towards the stomach during the procedure. The endoscope is mounted to a camera that will transmit images captured to the doctor through a screen as it passes along the walls of the oesophagus and stomach.
If the presence of abnormalities is observed, our doctor may perform a biopsy. A tissue sample is removed from the walls during a biopsy to further test for a possible infection or cancer.
Stomach polyps that are observed during the investigation will also be removed.
A colonoscope will be inserted through the rectum and progress towards the other end of the large intestine (colon). The colonoscope is a flexible, long tubular instrument mounted to a camera. This allows the images to be transmitted to the doctor through a screen as it passes along the colon walls and searches for signs of polyps or abnormalities.
If the presence of abnormalities is observed, our doctor may do one of two things:
A more precise diagnosis can be made with colonoscopy, and if there is a need for treatment for possible conditions, our doctor will be able to advise you accordingly.
When either procedure is complete, the scope will be retracted, and you will be left to recover from the sedation before you can be discharged. The entire procedure will last approximately 60 minutes or less.
A polypectomy is a relatively safe procedure and poses very few risks. In the majority of cases, the benefits of detecting and removing a polyp outweigh the risks involved.
With that said, some complications may occur from a polypectomy, and these include:
Detection of a polyp before it turns cancerous can save lives. However, if you are experiencing severe pain, bleeding, or fever after undergoing a polypectomy, contact our doctor immediately for advice.
On average, most patients who undergo a polypectomy will recover within a day or two after the procedure.
You may experience some form of bloating and cramping, but it will be mild and should not interfere with your activities.
You may also be advised to avoid certain food and drink in the first week after your procedure.
Following your recovery, our doctor will schedule a follow up to review your results and determine if further investigations or treatments are necessary.
A polypectomy is necessary for removing abnormal growths before they turn cancerous. While not all polyps are malignant, early detection and removal can help identify signs of cancer and administer treatment to improve one’s chances of recovery.
If you are unsure if you have polyps or suspect that you may have them, consider contacting our helpful team at G & L Surgical. Our staff will be on hand to provide you with the options and advice on the recommended course of action moving forward.
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G&L Surgical Clinic will do our best to provide you with an estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses before your procedure. With a comprehensive financing service, we endeavour to assist you in finding the most suitable financing option to enjoy a seamless and pleasant experience. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. We are here to help you get the care you need.
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