Post-polypectomy electrocoagulation syndrome: a rare cause of acute abdominal pain

J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2015 Oct 19;5(5):29147. doi: 10.3402/jchimp.v5.29147. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

While generally safe, the most feared complication of colonoscopy is perforation of the colon, occurring in nearly 1 in 1,000 procedures, and is more common when polypectomy is performed and electrocautery is used. Less commonly known is the post-polypectomy electrocoagulation syndrome, a transmural burn of the colon which mimics the signs and symptoms of perforation as well as the time course, but follows a benign course and can be treated conservatively.

Keywords: post-polypectomy electrocoagulation syndrome; snare polypectomy; transmural burn; tubulovillous polyp.

Publication types

  • Case Reports