Combined endoscopic and laparoscopic removal of colonic polyps

The procedure

The aim of this procedure is to use an endoscope (in the bowel) plus laparoscopy (keyhole surgery through the skin of the abdomen) to remove colonic polyps that cannot be removed using an endoscope alone.

The procedure is done with the patient under general anaesthetic. The endoscope is passed into the bowel through the anus. For the laparoscopy part of the procedure, the doctor makes one or more small cuts in the abdomen (belly). These allow the doctor to pass a laparoscope and surgical instruments into the belly, outside the bowel. The laparoscope is a small tube that has a tiny camera on the end of it. Carbon dioxide gas is pumped into the abdomen which creates a space, making it easier for the doctor to look around and operate. The surgical instruments are used to hold and manoeuvre the colon during the procedure. The polyp can be cut away and removed through the back passage using the endoscope, or through one of the cuts made for the laparoscopy.