Published online May 14, 2019. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i18.2251
Peer-review started: January 24, 2019
First decision: March 14, 2019
Revised: March 22, 2019
Accepted: May 2, 2019
Article in press: May 3, 2019
Published online: May 14, 2019
The role of prophylactic clipping for the prevention of delayed polypectomy bleeding (DPB) remains unclear and conclusions from prior meta-analyses are limited due to the inclusion of variety of resection techniques and polyp sizes.
To conduct a meta-analysis on the effect of clipping on DPB following endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of colorectal lesions ≥ 20 mm.
We performed a search of PubMed and the Cochrane library for studies comparing the effect of clipping vs no clipping on DPB following endoscopic resection. The Cochran Q test and I2 were used to test for heterogeneity. Pooling was conducted using a random-effects model.
Thirteen studies with a total of 7794 polyps were identified, of which data was available on 1701 cases of EMR of lesions ≥ 20 mm. Prophylactic clipping was associated with a lower rate of DPB (1.4%) when compared to no clipping (5.2%) (pooled OR: 0.24, 95%CI: 0.12-0.50, P < 0.001) following EMR of lesions ≥ 20 mm. There was no significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 0%, P = 0.67).
Prophylactic clipping may reduce DPB following EMR of large colorectal lesions. Future trials are needed to further identify risk factors and stratify high risk cases in order to implement a cost-effective preventive strategy.
Core tip: The role of prophylactic clipping for the prevention of delayed polypectomy bleeding (DPB) remains unclear and conclusions from prior meta-analyses are limited due to the inclusion of variety of resection techniques and polyp sizes. We conducted a meta-analysis that included 7794 polyps in 1701 cases of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and found that prophylactic clipping may reduce DPB following EMR of large colorectal lesions. Future trials are needed to further identify risk factors and stratify high risk cases in order to implement a cost-effective preventive strategy.