"Resect and Discard" Approach to Diminutive Colonic Polyps: Real World Applicability Amongst Both Academic and Community Gastroenterologists

Diminutive (≤5 mm) colorectal polyps are prevalent in the screening population but have low risk for harboring advanced villous or dysplastic components and for developing into colorectal cancer. "Resect and discard" (RD) is a new paradigm for management of these diminutive polyps wherein histology is determined by real-time endoscopic imaging; polyps are then resected and discarded rather than sent for histopathological review.

Aim: The aim of this study were to compare the surveillance recommendations between RD and the standard of care where polyps are sent for histopathological review in a mixed setting of academic and community gastroenterologists and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of an RD program for management of diminutive polyps.

Methods: This is a prospective, observational study conducted in a single outpatient endoscopy center over 12 months. Screening and surveillance colonoscopies were performed by four academic and two community gastroenterologists. All diminutive polyps (defined as ≤5 mm) were endoscopically imaged and histology predictions (adenoma vs. non-adenomatous polyp) were made using high-definition white light (HDWL) with/without narrow band imaging (NBI) at the discretion of the endoscopist. Diagnostic performance and accordance of recommended surveillance intervals from endoscopic imaging were compared to histopathological review of the polyps.