Rectal Polyp Excision
Rectal Polyp Excision involves some procedure that enables a colorectal surgeon to remove a benign polyp or cancerous growth from the rectum without removing the rectum.
Some facts about Rectal Polyp Excision:
- Rectal Polyp Excision can simply and safely done at the time of your colonoscopy.
- Rectal Polyps are abnormal growths that rises from the lining of the rectum which is the last 12 inches of the large intestine.
- Polyps may be flat or develop on a stalk like broccoli and is called a pedunculated polyp.
- Although most polyps are asymptomatic and never turn into cancer, a small percentage of polyps can slowly grow and develop into rectal cancer over 8-10 years.
- The presence of dysplasia or pre-cancerous changes, the type of polyp, and the size of the polyp are the factors for malignant potential of polyps.
- Symptoms of rectal polyps include rectal bleeding, bloody stools, mass, mucous discharge, protrusion from the anus, and abdominal pain.
- A change in bowel habits may also occur including constipation and diarrhea.
- Digital rectal exam or flexible sigmoidoscopy are usually done to diagnose rectal polyps.
- Rectal polyps are also diagnosed either by x-ray with a virtual colonoscopy or barium enema or by looking at the colonic lining directly with a colonoscopy
Preparation for Rectal Polyp Excision:
- You need to stop taking medications that may thin your blood, such as ibuprofen (Advil) or aspirin a few weeks before your surgery.
- You should stop smoking temporarily or permanently if you’re ready to quit as smoking can make it harder for your body to heal after surgery.
- You need to wait for any existing flu, fever, or cold to break.
- Most of your diet should be replaced with liquids and laxatives should be taken to empty your bowels.
- You may also need to only drink water or other clear liquids, such as broth or juice in the 24 hours before your surgery.
- Do not eat or drink anything for up to 12 before the surgery.
- Any medications that your surgeon gives you should be taken right before surgery.
Procedure for Rectal Polyp Excision:
- The majority of the examination will be spend looking for changes to the normal landscape of the colon lining and removing anything that looks suspicious for a polyp during a colonoscopy.
- All polyps should be removed as there is no way of predicting whether or not a polyp is or will become cancer.
- Most of the rectal polyps can be removed simply and safely at the time of your colonoscopy.
- Cancer can be prevented from developing by removing the polyps before they become cancerous.
- It may require surgical intervention if a rectal polyp is too large.
- The polyp can be removed by transanal excision if it is too low in the rectum.
- The polyp is removed through the rectum with minimal discomfort and a quick recovery under general anesthesia.
- Usually the procedure is performed as an outpatient or overnight stay.
- TransAnal Minimally Invasive Surgery can be done if the polyp is higher in the rectum.
