Postpolypectomy Syndrome as a Complication of Endoscopic Resection of Colon Polyps

Abstract

Introduction: Techniques for resecting colon polyps have improved the treatment and screening of these lesions; despite being a safe procedure, they can have several complications that must be correctly diagnosed and treated by the surgeon.

Objective: To define post polypectomy syndrome, its diagnosis and treatment for better patient care in light of new technologies.

Case presentation: A 53-year-old female patient presented with lower gastrointestinal bleeding. She underwent a colonoscopy, a bleeding polyp being detected in the ascending colon, which was removed with bipolar electrocoagulation. The day after the procedure, the patient complained of pain on the right side, with asymmetrical abdominal distension. Additional tests and radiological studies were performed to determine the course of action. She denied vomiting and stated that she was not passing stool or gas; therefore, an exploratory laparotomy was performed, revealing a subcapsular hematoma of the liver without colon perforation. This was a consequence of the failure to diagnose post polypectomy syndrome in a timely manner because the possible occurrence of this complication was not taken into account. The patient's progress after the laparotomy was satisfactory.

Conclusions: General surgeons need to be familiar with new endoscopic techniques, in such a way that they can better manage the complications of these procedures. The diagnosis of this syndrome was based on a history of colonoscopy resection, abdominal pain, fever and elevated inflammation markers; and its treatment was conservative.