A minor but deadly surgery of colonic polypectomy in an elderly and fragile patient: a case report and the review of literature

Epithelial dysplasia and adenomatous polyps of colorectum are precancerous lesions. Surgical removal is still one of the important treatment approaches for colorectal polyps.

A male patient over 78 years was admitted due to bloody stool and abdominal pain. Colonoscopic biopsy showed a high-grade epithelial dysplasia in an adenomatous polyp of sigmoid colon. Anemia, COPD, ischemic heart disease (IHD), arrhythmias, and hypoproteinemia were comorbidities. The preoperative preparation was carefully made consisting of oral nutritional supplements (ONS), blood transfusion, cardiorespiratory management, and hemostatic therapy. However, his illness did not improve but deteriorate mainly due to polyp rebleeding during preparative period. The open polypectomy was performed within 60 min under epidural anesthesia. Postoperative treatments included oxygen inhalation, bronchodilation, parenteral and enteral nutrition, human serum albumin, antibiotics, and blood transfusion. Unluckily, these did not significantly facilitate to surgical recovery on account of severe comorbidities and complications. The most serious complications were colonic leakage and secondary abdominal severe infection. The patient finally gave up treatment due to multiple organ dysfunction syndromes.

The polypectomy for colonic polyp is a seemingly minor but potentially deadly surgery for patients with severe comorbidities, and prophylactic ostomy should be considered for the safety.