Definition of Polypectomy

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Polypectomy: Removal of a polyp by surgery. In the case of polyps in the colon, polypectomy may be done by open abdominal surgery or, more commonly today, by colonoscopy. During colonoscopy, a small polyp may be snipped off with a biopsy forceps and larger polyps may be removed by putting a snare around the polyp base and burning through the tissue with electric cautery. Rarely is a polyp too large to remove by colonoscopy. The most common complications of polypectomy include bleeding and perforation (creating a hole in the colon).

From polyp + -ectomy, from the Greek ektome meaning excision. See also: Colonoscopy.