Randomized Clinical Trial to Compare Underwater Cold Snare Polypectomy (UCSP) to Conventional Cold Snare Polypectomy (CCSP) for Non Pedunculated Colon Polyps of Size 5-10mm [COLDWATER Study]

Colon cancer is internationally the third cause of deaths from a malignant disease. Screening colonoscopy in adults >45 years of age aims at the early diagnosis and treatment colon polyps that are precancerous lesions. Endoscopic polyp removal (polypectomy) can be done with various techniques depending on the size, morphology, location of the polyp etc. According to updated guidelines, non-pedunculated polyps of small size are treated with a cold snare in air dilated intestinal lumen (conventional cold snare polypectomy - CCSP).In recent years, several studies have described the benefits of water aided colonoscopy, as well as safety and efficacy of underwater polypectomy in large colon polyps. However, there is not enough data on small polyps which are the most commonly diagnosed.This is a prospective randomized double-blind clinical trial to compare the safety and efficacy of CCSP to underwater cold snare polypectomy (UCSP)for non-pedunculated polyps of size of 5-10 mm. A total of 398 polyps will be randomized and randomization will be performed via random numbers method of Microsoft Excel 2016. Primary outcome of this study is to determine muscularis mucosa resection rate. Secondary outcomes are the depth and percentage of R0 excisions and possible complications.

The investigators expect UCSP to ensure a higher muscularis mucosa resection rate and they attempt to examine the resection depth in the submucosal layer.These results will provide useful data for the development of guidelines in polypectomy techniques for non-pedunculated polyps 5-10mm.