Endoscopic Polypectomy
What is Endoscopic Polypectomy?
Endoscopic polypectomy is a minimally invasive procedure to remove polyps—growths that protrude from the mucous membrane—typically in the colon or rectum, using an endoscope (a flexible tube with a camera and tools). It is commonly performed during a colonoscopy to prevent polyps from progressing to colorectal cancer. In India, endoscopic polypectomy is conducted in specialized gastroenterology and colorectal surgery centers, offering affordable, high-quality care. For patients and families in India, understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) is essential for informed decision-making and optimal outcomes.
Why do you need Endoscopic Polypectomy?
Endoscopic polypectomy is indicated for:
- Colorectal polyps: Adenomatous polyps (pre-cancerous), hyperplastic polyps, or inflammatory polyps detected during colonoscopy.
- Prevention of colorectal cancer: Removing polyps reduces cancer risk, as 60–80% of colorectal cancers arise from adenomatous polyps.
- Symptomatic polyps: Polyps causing bleeding, pain, or obstruction.
- Screening and surveillance: Part of routine colonoscopy for patients over 45 or with risk factors (e.g., family history, IBD).
The procedure aims to remove polyps safely, preventing malignant transformation and alleviating symptoms. In India, hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS specialize in endoscopic polypectomy, often performed as an outpatient procedure.
Why Do Endoscopic Polypectomy Costs Vary in India?
The cost of endoscopic polypectomy in India ranges from ₹20,000 to ₹1 lakh:
- Procedure Type:
- Standard polypectomy: ₹20,000–₹50,000
- Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR): ₹50,000–₹1 lakh
- Hospital & Location: Top hospitals in metro cities (e.g., Apollo, Fortis) charge more; government hospitals (e.g., AIIMS) cost ₹5,000–₹20,000 but may have wait times.
- Specialist Expertise: Experienced gastroenterologists charge higher fees.
- Extra Costs: Diagnostics (blood tests, bowel prep), sedation, pathology fees, or complex cases (e.g., multiple/large polyps) add to expenses.
- Insurance & Aid: Most insurance plans cover polypectomy for diagnostic/preventive purposes; Ayushman Bharat offers free or subsidized treatment at empanelled hospitals.
Endoscopic Polypectomy Procedure
The procedure is typically performed during a colonoscopy and is tailored to the polyp’s size, type, and location:
- Before Procedure Evaluation:
- Diagnosis: Polyps are identified during a screening or diagnostic colonoscopy.
- Preparation:
- Bowel preparation involves a clear liquid diet 1–2 days prior, followed by laxatives (e.g., polyethylene glycol) to clear the colon.
- Blood tests ensure surgical fitness; patients on blood thinners (e.g., aspirin, warfarin) may need to stop them 5–7 days prior, under medical guidance.
- Patients are counseled on sedation, procedure risks, and post-procedure care.
- Surgical Techniques:
- Standard Endoscopic Polypectomy:
- Performed under moderate sedation (e.g., midazolam, fentanyl) or light anesthesia, lasting 15–30 minutes (as part of a 30–60 minute colonoscopy).
- A colonoscope is inserted through the anus to visualize the colon and rectum.
- Polyps are identified and assessed for size, shape (sessile or pedunculated), and number.
- Snare Polypectomy:
- For pedunculated polyps (with a stalk), a wire loop (snare) is passed over the polyp, tightened, and an electric current (electrocautery) cuts and seals the stalk to prevent bleeding.
- Piecemeal Resection:
- For large or sessile (flat) polyps, the polyp is removed in pieces using a snare, often requiring multiple passes.
- Cold Snare Polypectomy:
- For small polyps (<5 mm), a snare removes the polyp without electrocautery, reducing bleeding risk.
- Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR):
- For larger sessile polyps (1–2 cm), a saline solution is injected beneath the polyp to lift it, followed by snare removal.
- Used to ensure complete resection and reduce recurrence.
- Tattooing and Retrieval:
- Polyps are retrieved for biopsy to assess for malignancy.
- The site may be tattooed with ink for future surveillance if cancer risk is high.
- The procedure is outpatient, with discharge within 1–2 hours post-sedation recovery.
- Standard Endoscopic Polypectomy:
- After Procedure:
- Patients are monitored for 1–2 hours for sedation recovery and complications.
- Pathology reports analyze the polyp for type (e.g., adenomatous, hyperplastic) and dysplasia (pre-cancerous changes).
- Follow-up colonoscopies are scheduled based on findings (e.g., 1–3 years for high-risk polyps, 5–10 years for low-risk).
Recovery After Endoscopic Polypectomy
Recovery is quick as the procedure is minimally invasive:
- Hospital Stay:
- Outpatient procedure; discharged within 1–2 hours after sedation recovery.
- Post-Procedure Care:
- Mild bloating or cramping (from air used during colonoscopy) resolves within 24 hours.
- Pain is minimal; over-the-counter painkillers (e.g., paracetamol) are rarely needed.
- Patients are advised to avoid heavy meals for 24 hours, starting with clear liquids and progressing to a normal diet.
- Activity and Diet:
- Normal activities (e.g., walking, work) resume the same day or next day; strenuous activities (e.g., heavy lifting) are avoided for 1–2 days.
- A high-fiber diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) and 2–3 liters of water daily are recommended to maintain regular bowel movements and prevent polyp recurrence.
- Avoid alcohol and spicy foods for 1–2 days to reduce irritation.
- Follow-Up:
- Follow-up at 1–2 weeks to discuss pathology results.
- Surveillance colonoscopy intervals depend on findings: 1–3 years for adenomatous polyps, 5–10 years for hyperplastic polyps.
Most patients resume normal activities within 24 hours. The procedure prevents colorectal cancer in 70–90% of cases by removing pre-cancerous polyps.
Risks and Complications
Endoscopic polypectomy is low-risk but carries potential complications:
- Procedure-Related Risks:
- Bleeding (1–2%): More common with larger polyps or EMR; usually self-limiting but may require repeat endoscopy or clipping.
- Perforation (0.1–0.5%): A tear in the colon wall, rare but serious, requiring surgical repair.
- Sedation Risks:
- Adverse reactions to sedation (e.g., respiratory depression), minimized with monitoring.
- Post-Procedure Issues:
- Post-polypectomy syndrome (rare): Abdominal pain and fever due to localized inflammation from electrocautery, treated with antibiotics.
- Incomplete removal: May lead to polyp recurrence, requiring repeat polypectomy.
- Long-Term Risks:
- Missed polyps: Small polyps may be overlooked, emphasizing the need for surveillance.
- Cancer risk: If dysplasia is found, closer monitoring is needed to detect early malignancy.
Prompt reporting of symptoms like severe abdominal pain, fever, or rectal bleeding ensures timely management.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes colorectal polyps?
Risk factors include age (>45), family history, obesity, smoking, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Can polyps be removed without surgery?
Endoscopic polypectomy is the standard; open surgery is only needed for very large or inaccessible polyps.
Is polypectomy painful?
No, it’s performed under sedation; mild bloating or cramping may occur post-procedure.
How soon can I resume normal activities?
Most patients resume activities within 24 hours.
Is polypectomy covered by insurance in India?
Yes, as part of diagnostic or preventive colonoscopy; confirm with your provider.
What are the signs of complications post-polypectomy?
Severe abdominal pain, fever, or rectal bleeding require immediate medical attention.
Can polyps recur after polypectomy?
New polyps can form (20–30% risk over 5 years); regular surveillance colonoscopies reduce this risk.
What lifestyle changes are needed post-polypectomy?
Maintain a high-fiber diet, stay hydrated, avoid smoking, manage weight, and follow screening guidelines to prevent polyp formation.
Conclusion
Endoscopic polypectomy is a safe, effective procedure to remove colorectal polyps, significantly reducing the risk of colorectal cancer. With expertise in hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, and AIIMS, India offers affordable, high-quality care. By understanding the procedure, cost variations, recovery, risks, and FAQs, patients can approach polypectomy with confidence. For personalized guidance, consult a gastroenterologist at a reputed hospital to ensure timely and successful treatment.
Looking for Best Hospitals for Endoscopic polypectomy
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we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
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| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
30,000 |
90,000 |
Ahmedabad |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Ajmer |
30,000 |
90,000 |
Aligarh |
30,000 |
90,000 |
Allahabad |
30,000 |
90,000 |
Amritsar |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Aurangabad |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Bangalore |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Bareilly |
30,000 |
90,000 |
Belgaum |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Bhopal |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Bikaner |
30,000 |
90,000 |
Chandigarh |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Chennai |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Coimbatore |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Dehradun |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Delhi |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Dhanbad |
30,000 |
90,000 |
Durgapur |
30,000 |
90,000 |
Faridabad |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Ghaziabad |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Gorakhpur |
30,000 |
90,000 |
Guntur |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Gurgaon |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Guwahati |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Gwalior |
30,000 |
90,000 |
Hyderabad |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Indore |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Jabalpur |
30,000 |
90,000 |
Jaipur |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Jalandhar |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Jamshedpur |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Jodhpur |
30,000 |
90,000 |
Kanpur |
30,000 |
90,000 |
Kochi |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Kolkata |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Kollam |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Lucknow |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Ludhiana |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Madurai |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Mangalore |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Meerut |
30,000 |
90,000 |
Moradabad |
30,000 |
90,000 |
Mumbai |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Mysore |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Nagpur |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Nashik |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Noida |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Patna |
30,000 |
90,000 |
Pune |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Raipur |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Rajkot |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Ranchi |
30,000 |
90,000 |
Surat |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Thane |
35,000 |
1,00,000 |
Vadodara |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Varanasi |
30,000 |
90,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
32,000 |
95,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.