CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Endosc Int Open 2024; 12(04): E579-E584
DOI: 10.1055/a-2284-9739
Original article

Audit of hemostatic clip use after colorectal polyp resection in an academic endoscopy unit

Easton M. Stark
1   Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN12250)
,
Rachel E. Lahr
1   Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN12250)
,
Jeremiah Shultz
1   Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN12250)
,
Krishna C. Vemulapalli
1   Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN12250)
,
John J. Guardiola
1   Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN12250)
,
Douglas K. Rex
1   Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN12250)
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Background and study aims Prophylactic closure of endoscopic resection defects reduces delayed hemorrhage after resection of non-pedunculated colorectal lesions ≥ 20 mm that are located proximal to the splenic flexure and removed by electrocautery. The risk of delayed hemorrhage after cold (without electrocautery) resection is much lower, and prophylactic clip closure after cold resection is generally unnecessary. The aim of this study was to audit clip use after colorectal polyp resection in routine outpatient colonoscopies at two outpatient centers within an academic medical center. Patients referred for resection of known lesions were excluded.

Patients and methods Retrospective chart analysis was performed as part of a quality review of physician adherence to screening and post-polypectomy surveillance intervals.

Results Among 3784 total lesions resected cold by 29 physicians, clips were placed after cold resection on 41.7% of 12 lesions ≥ 20 mm, 19.3% of 207 lesions 10 to 19 mm in size, and 2.8% of 3565 lesions 1 to 9 mm in size. Three physicians placed clips after cold resection of lesions 1 to 9 mm in 18.8%, 25.5%, and 45.0% of cases. These physicians accounted for 8.1% of 1- to 9-mm resections, but 69.7% of clips placed in this size range. Electrocautery was used for 3.1% of all resections. Clip placement overall after cold resection (3.9%) was much lower than after resection with electrocautery (71.1%), but 62.4% of all clips placed were after cold resection.

Conclusions Audits of clip use in an endoscopy practice can reveal surprising findings, including high and variable rates of unnecessary use after cold resection. Audit can potentially reduce unnecessary costs, carbon emissions, and plastic waste.



Publication History

Received: 12 December 2023

Accepted after revision: 26 February 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
11 March 2024

Article published online:
23 April 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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