Huge Mass Of The Descending Colon (22 of 25)

Recover some pieces to be sent to pathology. Small polyps are readily retrieved through the suction/biopsy channel of the endoscope and are collected either in gauze or mesh between the suction port and the suction tubing or in an in-line suction trap. Most polyps remain at the site of injection or fall into the nearest dependent pool. If this is not readily apparent, injecting a small bolus of water and following it through will often lead to the pool and suctioning of the fluid will often retrieve the polyp. Changing patient position may also sometimes reveal a lost polyp. Polyps are often soft and deformable allowing retrieval of lesions much larger than the diameter of the suction/biopsy channel. If the polyp impacts in the channel at the tip of the endoscope, the channel should be flushed and an alternative retrieval method employed. Larger polyps >1 cm may not pass through the suction/biopsy channel but may be suctioned onto the tip and withdrawn with the colonoscope. However, when using this technique, the polyp is readily dislodged during withdrawal and the view is often so limited that the colon distal to the polyp has to be re-examined.