Snare rotation technique: a simple tip for successful polypectomy for non-pedunculated gastrointestinal polyps

Snare resection for non-pedunculated polyps has a long history, and its application has been expanded to various methods such as endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), cold polypectomy, and underwater EMR [1] [2] [3]. Various clinical tips and tricks have been demonstrated by experts [4] [5]. In any snare resection for non-pedunculated polyps, a universally important issue is positioning the loop of the snare horizontal to the lesion. This positioning can avoid askew grasping of the polyp, thereby avoiding incomplete resection. However, the snare does not always emerge at the desired angle from the working channel of the scope. Here we demonstrate the “rotation technique” to reposition the loop of the snare to an ideal angle for grabbing the polyp horizontally ([Video 1]).

Video 1 Three cases including two colonic polyps and an esophageal lesion using “snare rotation technique” for polypectomy are presented.

When the snare emerges at an incorrect angle, it can be fixed while the assistant rotates the handle of the device to position the loop of the snare horizontal to the lesion ([Fig. 1], [Fig. 2]). The part of the sheath outside the cap of the working channel of the scope should be straightened to facilitate rotation. During rotation, the electrical cord should be unplugged from the snare sheath to ease rotation of the handle and can be reconnected when the snare is at the expected angle. During rotation, it is recommended that the physician shake the sheath slightly to ease rotation of the snare. This is a very simple skill but extremely useful for better snare resection of non-pedunculated gastrointestinal polyps.

Fig. 1 The angle of the snare is not horizontal to the lesion.

Fig. 2 The angle of the snare is fixed at an ideal position to the lesion.

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Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

• References

• 1 Ferlitsch M, Moss A, Hassan C. et al. Colorectal polypectomy and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR): European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Clinical Guideline. Endoscopy 2017; 49: 270-297
• 2 Papastergiou V, Paraskeva KD, Fragaki M. et al. Cold versus hot endoscopic mucosal resection for nonpedunculated colorectal polyps sized 6–10 mm: a randomized trial. Endoscopy 2018; 50: 403-411
• 3 Binmoeller KF, Weilert F, Shah J. et al. ‘Underwater’ EMR without submucosal injection for large sessile colorectal polyps (with video). Gastrointest Endosc 2012; 75: 1086-1091
• 4 Bourke MF, Bhandari P. How I remove polyps larger than 20 mm. Endoscopy 2019; 51: 1151-1154
• 5 Kaltenbach T, Anderson JC, Burke CA. et al. Endoscopic removal of colorectal lesions: recommendations by the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer. Gastrointest Endosc 2020; 91: 486-519

Publication History

Article published online:
15 March 2021