Ingo Steinbrück, Alanna Ebigbo, Armin Kuellmer, Arthur Schmidt, Konstantinos Kouladouros, Markus Brand, Teresa Koenen, Viktor Rempel, Andreas Wannhoff, Siegbert Faiss, Oliver Pech, Oliver Möschler, Franz Ludwig Dumoulin, Martha M. Kirstein, Thomas von Hahn, Hans-Dieter Allescher, Stefan Gölder, Martin Götz, Stephan Hollerbach, Björn Lewerenz, Alexander Meining, Helmut Messmann, Thomas Rösch, Hans-Peter Allgaier
- Background and aims
Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is standard therapy for non-pedunculated colorectal polyps ≥20mm. Recently, it has been suggested that polyp resection without current (cold resection) may be superior to the standard technique using cutting/coagulation current (hot resection) by reducing adverse events (AE), but evidence from a randomized trial is missing.
Methods
In this randomized-controlled multicentric trial involving 19 centers, non-pedunculated colorectal polyps ≥20mm were randomly assigned to cold or hot EMR. Primary outcome was major AE (perforation or post-endoscopic bleeding). Among secondary outcomes major AE subcategories, postpolypectomy-syndrome and residual adenoma were most relevant.
Results
Between 2021 and 2023, 396 polyps in 363 patients (48.2% female) were enrolled for the intention-to-treat analysis. Major AE occurred in 1.0 % in the cold and in 7.9% in the hot group (p=0.001; Odds ratio [OR] 0.12 [95%-CI: 0.03-0.54]). Rates forBackground and aims
Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is standard therapy for non-pedunculated colorectal polyps ≥20mm. Recently, it has been suggested that polyp resection without current (cold resection) may be superior to the standard technique using cutting/coagulation current (hot resection) by reducing adverse events (AE), but evidence from a randomized trial is missing.
Methods
In this randomized-controlled multicentric trial involving 19 centers, non-pedunculated colorectal polyps ≥20mm were randomly assigned to cold or hot EMR. Primary outcome was major AE (perforation or post-endoscopic bleeding). Among secondary outcomes major AE subcategories, postpolypectomy-syndrome and residual adenoma were most relevant.
Results
Between 2021 and 2023, 396 polyps in 363 patients (48.2% female) were enrolled for the intention-to-treat analysis. Major AE occurred in 1.0 % in the cold and in 7.9% in the hot group (p=0.001; Odds ratio [OR] 0.12 [95%-CI: 0.03-0.54]). Rates for perforation and post-endoscopic bleeding were significantly lower in the cold group with 0% vs. 3.9% (p=0.007) and 1.0% vs. 4.4% (p=0.040). Postpolypectomy-syndrome occurred with similar frequency (3.1% vs. 4.4%, p=0.490). After cold resection, residual adenoma was found more frequently, with 23.7% vs. 13.8% (p=0.020; OR 1.94 [95%-CI: 1.12-3.38]). In multivariable analysis, lesion diameter of ≥4cm was an independent predictor both for major AE (OR 3.37) and residual adenoma (OR 2.47), and high-grade dysplasia/cancer for residual adenoma (OR 2.92).
Conclusion
Cold resection of large non-pedunculated colorectal polyps appears considerably safer than hot EMR, however at the cost of a higher residual adenoma rate. Further studies have to confirm to which extent polyp size and histology can determine an individualized approach (Trial number: DRKS00025170).…

