Colonic Polypectomy Aftercare Advice

Introduction

You have had a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to remove polyps (growths) in your intestines (gut). This leaflet will explain what to expect after your procedure.

What is a colonic polypectomy?

This procedure involves a small loop or “lasso” being placed around the stalk of a bowel polyp. Electricity is then passed through the loop to generate heat. This allows the stalk to be cut without bleeding.

What are the possible complications?

The two main risks are perforation (hole in the bowel wall) and bleeding.

Both of these complications are rare. Perforations have been reported as happening in 1 out of every 500 patients. Bleeding has been reported to happen in 1 out of every 50 patients.

The usual signs of a perforation include worsening abdominal pain, a fast heart rate or feeling shivery and unwell.

Delayed bleeding may complicate the removal of polyps for up to about two weeks following the procedure. Passing fresh blood, maroon stools, clots or feeling light headed or dizzy on standing would indicate a bleeding problem.

How will I feel after the procedure?

Most patients who have had a colonic polypectomy may feel a little bloated for 1 to 2 days. However, most patients are able to eat, drink, and re-start their normal medication within a few hours of the procedure. Specific advice tailored to your situation will be given by the Endoscopist who does your procedure. 

What should I do if I become unwell?

You may be bleeding from the bowel where the polyp was removed if for 2 weeks after the procedure:

• You pass blood, clots or maroon-coloured stool

• You feel dizzy when standing up from sitting down

• You feel dizzy when sitting up from a lying position

Please come to the Emergency Department at North Tees Hospital and bring a copy of your endoscopy report.

Similarly, if you develop increasingly severe stomach pains, not relieved by passing wind or burping, please attend your local Accident and Emergency Department.

You may require blood tests, scans, another endoscopy or an operation to treat the complication. You may need to stay in hospital for this treatment.

When will I get results of the polyp(s)?

Bowel screening of a patient’s polyps are usually reported within 5 working days.

Other polyps which are removed outside of the bowel cancer screening programme but which are not thought to be suspicious of cancer are reported routinely, and your Consultant will generally write to you with the result or see you in clinic unless they have stated otherwise.

Contact details

Endoscopy Unit, North Tees Hospital

Telephone: 01642 383620

Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (Monday to Friday)

Specialist Bowel Screening Practitioners

Telephone: 01642 383981

Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (Monday to Friday)

Emergency Department

24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Telephone: 01642 382899

Further information is available from:

NHS Choices

Telephone: 111 (when it is less urgent than 999).

Calls to this number are free from landlines and mobile phones, or via the website:

If you have any worries or concerns you should contact your GP during normal surgery hours. Outside these hours you should contact your GP surgery for the Out of Hours Service number.

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:

Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

Telephone: 01642 617617

Data protection and use of patient information

The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]