Efficacy and Safety of Cold Snare Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (CS-EMR) for Nonampullary Duodenal Polyps

Introduction: There is an increasing interest in cold snare endoscopic mucosal resection (CS-EMR), and studies have shown its safety and efficacy for colonic polyps. This meta-analysis aims to assess the safety and efficacy of CS-EMR for the removal of duodenal adenomas. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search of several databases, from inception through February 2023, for studies that addressed outcomes of CS-EMR for nonampullary duodenal adenomas. We used the random-effects model for the statistical analysis. The weighted pooled rates were used to summarize the technical success, polyp recurrence, bleeding, and perforation events. Cochran Q test and I 2 statistics adjudicated heterogeneity. Results: Six studies were included in the analysis. In all, 178 duodenal polyps were resected using CS-EMR. The pooled rates were 95.8% (95% CI 89.1–98.5%, I 2 =21.5%) for technical success and 21.2% (95% CI 8.5–43.6%, I 2 =78%) for polyp recurrence. With regards to CS-EMR safety, the pooled rates were 4.2% (95% CI 1.6–10.5%, I 2 =12%) for immediate bleeding, 3.4% (95% CI 1.5–7.6%, I 2 =0%) for delayed bleeding, 2.8% (95% CI 1.1–6.7%, I 2 =0%) for perforation, and 2% (95% CL 0.5–7.5%, I 2 =0%) for post-polypectomy syndrome. Rates were not significantly different for large adenomas. Three studies reported data on CS-EMR and conventional EMR. Compared with conventional EMR, CS-EMR had lower odds of delayed bleeding, OR 0.11 (CI 0.02–0.62, P value 0.012, I 2 =0%). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that CS-EMR is a safe and effective strategy for the resection of nonampullary duodenal adenomas, with an acceptable recurrence rate. Data from larger randomized controlled studies are needed to validate our findings.