Follow-up Protocol of Colorectal Endoscopic Mucosal Resection Scars

Nowadays endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is the gold standard for the removal of large laterally spreading and sessile colorectal lesions ≥ 20 mm. However, recurrence rate after successful EMR (defined by the absence of neoplastic tissue at the completion of the procedure after careful inspection of the post-EMR mucosal defect and margin) is about 15-20%. Consequently, current guidelines recommend a surveillance colonoscopy between 4 and 6 months after resection for detection of residual or recurrent polyp.
There are few studies that have examined the accuracy of advanced endoscopic imaging for the prediction of histological recurrence but none of these imaging modalities have been validated for surveillance after EMR. Therefore, current guidelines strongly recommend systematic biopsy of EMR scar.
The main aim of this study is to assess the incremental benefit of narrow band imaging (NBI) and white light endoscopy (WLE) randomizing the initial technique for the endoscopic detection of post-EMR recurrence and to asses if this advanced imaging method achieve sufficient diagnostic accuracy to exclude recurrence without the need for biopsy.