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What are the risks from surgery when removing colorectal polyps?

Three interactive modules walk you through when to refer a patient for surgical intervention, discussing risk factors for an adverse surgical event and more.
Close-up view of intestinal polyps and diseased intestinal tissue that can cause cancer - 3d illustration
Close-up view of intestinal polyps and diseased intestinal tissue that can cause cancer - 3d illustration

Surgery to remove colorectal polyps is often unnecessary according to recent research, which found it can lead to adverse post-operative events and increased rates of hospital readmissions.

To support GIs on how best to approach polyp removal, AGA has launched a new on-demand course, Appropriate Referral for Endoscopic Polyp Removal. The program guides you with three interactive modules and a decision support tool on the best course of action with education on how to differentiate between a simple and complex polyp and when or if to refer patients for surgery.

Endoscopic resection of polyps can eliminate the need for surgery more than 90% of the time. In fact, surgery almost doubles the risk of an adverse event. In the second module of the program, learn about risk factors related to surgery. Other modules focus on how to distinguish between lesions suitable for endoscopic mucosal resection, lesions that should be referred for surgery and the benefits of endoscopic resection of tumors. Take the course and earn 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 credit ™ upon completion.

Interested in learning more? The U.S. Multi-Society Task Force (U.S. MSTF) on Colorectal Cancer has released new guidance for endoscopists on assessing colorectal lesions for features associated with cancer, determining how these factors guide management and deciding when to advise surgery after malignant polyp removal.

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