A polypectomy is a procedure used to remove polyps—small growths that can form on the inner lining of your digestive tract. While most commonly removed from the colon during a colonoscopy, polyps can also appear in other areas like the stomach or small bowel and may need removal from those sites as well.
Finding and removing polyps is one of the main reasons your doctor might recommend a colonoscopy.
Your gastroenterologist uses special tools during your colonoscopy to gently and safely remove any polyps that are found. One common method involves a small wire loop, called a snare, which is used to cut the polyp from the bowel wall.
Sometimes, a tiny amount of electrical current is applied through the snare to help cut the tissue cleanly and reduce the chance of bleeding afterward.
In most cases, yes. While some polyps can be identified visually as harmless or suspicious, the only way to know for sure whether a polyp could become cancerous is to remove it and examine it under a microscope.
By removing the polyp:
Any potential cancer risk is eliminated
Your doctor can determine how frequently you should be monitored in the future
If a polyp is very large or in a tricky location, your doctor may decide to delay removal and discuss the safest next steps with you—this might include scheduling surgery or using more advanced techniques.
Polypectomy is generally very safe and a routine part of colonoscopy. That said, there are a few possible (but uncommon) risks:
Bleeding can happen, especially in people taking blood-thinning medications. It's usually minor and resolves on its own.
Perforation (a tear in the bowel wall) is very rare but more likely if a polyp is large or difficult to remove.
Medication considerations: If you’re on blood thinners like aspirin, Warfarin, or others, your doctor may ask you to pause them before and after the procedure.
If you have questions about your procedure or medications, your gastroenterologist is always the best person to ask. You can also find helpful patient resources on the Gastroenterological Society of Australia website: www.gesa.org.au