Do gastric polyps require surgery?

Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 06, 2024
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Gastric polyps are relatively common in clinical settings. Generally, patients do not exhibit symptoms and discover the condition either during physical examinations or incidental gastroscopic examinations. Of course, a small portion of patients may experience certain gastrointestinal symptoms, manifesting as dull pain in the upper abdomen, bloating, nausea, etc. The treatment for gastric polyps generally varies depending on the location, size, and number of the polyps. If the polyps are small, particularly less than 0.5 cm, it is recommended that patients undergo regular observations and gastroscopic examinations every six months to a year. If there are no significant changes in the polyps, symptomatic treatment may not be immediately necessary. However, if the polyps are larger, especially if they are numerous or larger than 1 cm, it is advisable for patients to have them removed via gastroscopy for biopsy to rule out the possibility of malignant changes. Therefore, for patients with gastric polyps, it is recommended to have regular follow-ups and consider endoscopic removal, which is generally a relatively safe procedure that should not be overly worrisome.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Postoperative care for gastric polyp electrocautery

After undergoing endoscopic polypectomy for gastric polyps, dietary adjustments should be made according to the number and severity of the polyps removed, as well as the patient's constitution. Generally, food should be prohibited for a few days post-surgery to minimize the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. Nutritional support can be provided parenterally, especially for elderly bedridden patients who should avoid pressure sores. It is important to frequently turn elderly patients, and wipe their backs and buttocks. About two weeks after surgery, the patient can transition to a normal diet, including milk and other nutritional supplements. The healing process for gastric polyp removal by electrosurgery typically takes about 6-8 weeks.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Is APC treatment for gastric polyps painful?

The treatment of gastric polyps is mainly focused on endoscopic procedures, including APC (argon plasma coagulation) treatment, which is quite suitable for gastric polyps. For patients, the APC treatment usually does not involve pain, so there is no sensation or suffering involved. Thus, APC treatment for gastric polyps is relatively appropriate and generally considered safe. The complications to be cautious of are not pain, but rather bleeding, such as gastrointestinal bleeding post-procedure. For gastric polyps, APC treatment may take varying lengths of time; it might be completed in just a few minutes under smooth conditions, but could extend to over ten minutes in some cases. Overall, this is a relatively mature and safe examination method.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Symptoms of gastric polyps

Gastric polyps are also relatively common in clinical practice, especially in the outpatient department of gastroenterology. The symptoms of gastric polyps can generally be divided into several types. The first type is asymptomatic; patients undergo gastroscopy due to abdominal discomfort or incidental findings, discovering gastric polyps that are generally small, usually less than 0.5 cm. From a treatment perspective, regular observation can be sufficient without intervention, and a gastroscopy recheck every six months to a year is advisable. However, a small portion of patients may experience certain symptoms such as nausea, early satiety, burping, and belching, etc. Generally, the symptoms are mild and do not affect daily life or sleep, so there is no need for undue concern. The treatment of gastric polyps generally falls into two categories; the first is regular observation, possibly because the polyps are relatively small; the second, if the polyps are larger, or if they have been found to increase in size during regular check-ups, considering removal through endoscopy might be necessary.

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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How to deal with vomiting caused by gastric polyps?

If you have a gastric polyp and experience nausea and vomiting, symptomatic treatment can be used, including medications that aid digestion and regulate the stomach and spleen. Also, medications to control the symptoms of vomiting can be taken orally. In severe cases, it may also be necessary to go to a hospital for an antiemetic injection. It is essential to undergo a gastroscopy to determine the size of the polyp and to perform a pathological biopsy to check for malignant changes. Additionally, it is important to remove the polyp promptly, as long-term presence of the polyp in the body can easily lead to malignant transformation.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Are gastric polyps prone to recurrence?

For patients with gastric polyps, it is necessary to have regular follow-up gastroscopy to be vigilant against recurrence, especially in those with Helicobacter pylori infection, as recurrence of gastric polyps is relatively common. It is recommended that patients undergo a gastroscopic examination every six months to one year to assess their condition. Gastric polyps are relatively common in clinical settings and are considered a common, generally benign condition, so patients do not need to have too much psychological stress. Typically, patients undergo gastroscopy due to abdominal discomfort or changes in appetite, during which gastric polyps are discovered. The main symptoms of abdominal discomfort include upper abdominal bloating, upper abdominal pain, or nausea, etc., and appetite may decrease. Therefore, gastroscopy is a necessary diagnostic tool. The treatment of gastric polyps mainly depends on the number and size of the polyps. If the polyps are small, regular follow-up gastroscopy is possible. However, if the polyps increase in number or size, especially if they are larger than one centimeter, it is advisable to perform endoscopic removal promptly.