Colonic polypectomy

Our fixed-price packages include the cost of your surgery and all appropriate aftercare appointments. However, any pre-surgery diagnostic tests and your consultant’s outpatient appointment consultation fee are charged separately.

Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you.

If you have private health insurance, the procedure will usually be covered by your provider. Speak to your insurer directly to find out.

Bowel polyps are small growths of tissue inside the large intestine (colon) or rectum. They are sometimes known as colonic or colorectal polyps.

Bowel polyps are common, especially as you get older. They are usually benign (non-cancerous) but some types of polyps can become cancerous over time. Not all polyps become cancerous, but almost all types of colorectal cancer start with bowel polyps.

To prevent cancer from developing, bowel polyps are removed with a procedure called a colonic polypectomy.

What are the symptoms of bowel polyps?

Bowel polyps don’t usually cause any symptoms and you may be unaware that you have them. They are often discovered during a colonoscopy while checking for another condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer.

Because bowel polyps rarely have symptoms, it’s important to attend regular bowel cancer screenings to check for precancerous polyps and bowel cancer.

In rare cases, you may have symptoms such as:

• Blood or mucus in your poo
• Bleeding from your bottom
• Abdominal pain
• A change in your bowel habits (such as diarrhoea or constipation)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Anaemia
• Fatigue

What causes bowel polyps?

It isn’t fully understood what causes bowel polyps. They appear to develop when an overgrowth of cells grows in the bowel, forming lumps of tissue (polyps).

You may have an increased risk of developing bowel polyps if:

• You have a family history of bowel polyps or bowel cancer
• You’re over 50 years of age
• You have inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• You are overweight
• You smoke

Your consultant will ask you some questions about your symptoms (if you have any), your general health, medical history, and whether you have a family history of bowel polyps or bowel cancer. They may perform a physical examination.

How is a diagnosis made?

Bowel polyps are diagnosed using tests or imaging scans, including:

• Colonoscopy — a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera on one end is inserted into your rectum and colon (back passage) to check your large bowel for abnormalities such as inflammation, ulcers, polyps, and cancer. Bowel polyps are commonly removed at the same time as a colonoscopy
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy — this is similar to a colonoscopy, but uses a video camera to allow your consultant to examine your bowel for abnormalities such as polyps
• Virtual (CT) colonoscopy  — uses a CT scanner to create 2D and 3D images of your rectum and colon from outside the body. Bowel polyps cannot be removed during a virtual colonoscopy

Why is this first consultation so important?

At Circle Health Group, your first appointment is very important as it’s where your consultant will ask you about your symptoms, perform a physical examination, and order any tests needed to provide a diagnosis.

Your first consultation is also where we get to know you and encourage you to ask any questions you may have. It is important to us that you are as well-informed and comfortable as possible before, during, and after your procedure, so please ask your consultant any questions or discuss any concerns during your appointment.

At the end of your appointment, your consultant will decide on the best treatment for you based on the results of your tests or scans.

Bowel preparation

Before your colonic polypectomy, your bowels will need to be clear to allow your surgeon to examine your bowel properly and remove the polyps. Bowel prep involves taking laxatives and changing your diet for a few days leading up to your polypectomy. You will be given instructions on how to do this by your healthcare team. Follow the instructions exactly and contact your healthcare team if you have any questions. Not having your bowel properly prepared before your colonic polypectomy may mean your procedure needs to be postponed.

A colonic polypectomy is normally performed under a local anaesthetic with sedation, meaning you’ll be awake during the procedure, but won’t feel any pain and will be given medicine to make you feel relaxed and sleepy.

During the procedure, you’ll be asked to lie on your left side with your knees up towards your chest.

Once the anaesthetic and sedation have taken effect, a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera is inserted into your rectum and colon. Your consultant will examine your colon for any other abnormalities and remove the polyps (and possibly the surrounding tissue) using surgical instruments. The removed polyps are sent to the laboratory to check for cancer.

There are two main types of colonic polypectomy:

• Snare polypectomy – during this procedure, a thin wire is looped around the base of the polyp and the polyp is cauterised (sealed) with heat. This cuts off the polyp and helps prevents any bleeding
• Piece-meal polypectomy – this technique involves removing the polyp piece by piece and may be used to remove larger polyps

Colonic polypectomy normally takes between 20 minutes and one hour.

You may experience some cramping pain, abdominal tenderness, and bloating for a day or two after your polypectomy. You may also notice a small amount of blood on the toilet paper after using the bathroom. These are normal and usually nothing to worry about.

Avoid certain foods and drinks, such as spicy food, coffee, tea, alcohol and fizzy drinks, for a few days after your polypectomy.

Your healthcare team will give you a follow-up appointment to get the results of your polypectomy. This is usually in around a week.

If your polyps were larger than 1cm, there is a risk of bleeding and/or a perforation (hole) developing in the bowel wall for around two weeks after your polypectomy. Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting to reduce the risk of these complications occurring.

Seek medical attention straight away if you:

• Have severe abdominal pain or swelling
• Pass large amounts (more than a few tablespoons) of fresh blood or clots from your bottom
• Have maroon-coloured stools (poo)
• Feel dizzy when sitting or standing up
• Feel generally unwell and shivery, have a fever (a temperature above 38C), a rapid heart rate and flu-like symptoms

How many nights will I need to stay in hospital?

Polypectomy is usually done as a day case, meaning you’ll normally go home on the same day.

Will I be able to drive home?

You will not be able to drive yourself home from the hospital after your colonic polypectomy. Please arrange for someone to collect you, or we can organise a taxi if you prefer.

How soon can I go back to work?

If you feel well enough, you can return to work the same day as your colonic polypectomy, but most people take one or two days off work.

How soon can I drive?

You should not drive for 24 hours after your colonic polypectomy, as the effects of any sedation you have had may not have fully worn off.

When will I be back to normal?

You should be able to resume normal activities within a day or two of your colonic polypectomy and be fully recovered within two weeks.

There are three possible results of your colonic polypectomy:

• Benign — no further treatment is normally needed
• Precancerous — the precancerous polyp has been removed and will not develop into cancer. You will be invited for regular bowel screening
• Cancerous — colon cancer is often treatable, especially in the early stages. Treatment depends on what stage your cancer is. Your consultant will discuss treatment options with you and work with you to create an individualised treatment plan

Complications from colonic polypectomy are rare, but as with all medical procedures, there is a small risk of complications during and after the procedure.

Your consultant will explain all the possible risks and complications before your colonic polypectomy and answer any questions you may have to ensure you are fully informed about the procedure.

Possible complications of colonic polypectomy include:

• Adverse reaction to the anaesthetic or sedation
• Bleeding
• Infection
• A puncture or tear in the bowel
• Transmural burn from the cauterisation device
• Incomplete removal — some tissue may be left behind and you may need a second polypectomy

• Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Private ensuite rooms as standard
• A range of delicious healthy meals
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about colonic polypectomy, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in February 2024. Next review due February 2027.

• Colonic Polypectomy Aftercare Advice North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
• Polypectomy London North west University Healthcare NHS Trust
• Advances, problems, and complications of polypectomy Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology