A recent study presented at Digestive Disease Week in Chicago compares laparoscopic hemicolectomy and laparoscopic-assisted colonoscopy for the removal of large, difficult-to-remove polyps. The study suggests that the procedure could reduce the length of hospital stays and save the healthcare system millions of dollars. Gilbert Simoni, MD, a gastroenterologist with Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks, Calif., discusses why he believes the study is important for the GI field and what it will take to introduce this new technique to mainstream GI treatment.
Q: Why do you think this study is important for the field of gastroenterology?
Dr. Gilbert Simoni: This procedure is very much patient-centric. It is less invasive. Patients spend less time in the hospital and it is associated with fewer complications. These are all important aspects. Right now, the only way to remove a large polyp or small cancer involves removing a portion of the colon. This is a very interesting study, as it would allow patients to avoid this.
Q: Do you thinks procedure is a good fit for the outpatient setting?
GS: I think this procedure could be done in the outpatient setting. It is certainly non-invasive enough.
Q: What further research is needed to bring laparoscopy-assisted colonoscopy into the mainstream of GI treatment options?
GS: This is a great way to take care of patients with colonic abnormalities. A multicenter, randomized clinical trial would be the next step. The results of this study need to be reproduced in different centers. In addition, we do not yet know what will happen with these patients in the long-term. We need to track them
I would imagine it will take five to 10 years to really have a large scale study. It depends on how willing gastroenterologists and surgeons are to create the studies. It would be helpful if a specific company would be behind this. If it takes, I would be more than happy to be involved.
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