Polypectomy in the presence of portal hypertension--an increased risk of bleeding?

A report is presented on 58 polypectomies performed in the stomach and colorectum in 46 patients. Twenty-five patients had portal hypertension consequent on liver cirrhosis, while 21 patients had healthy livers. The question as to whether haemorrhage occurred immediately after polypectomy or within the next 24 hours, was investigated. Furthermore, either the stalk (of pedunculated polyps), or the polyp itself (when sessile) was investigated pathologically-anatomically, with respect to its vascularity pattern. The submucosal and intramucosal vascularity patterns were classified in 4 categories, I to IV. A tentative interpretation of the results obtained indicates, on the basis of their mucosal and submucosal vascularity patterns, that patients with portal hypertension developing from a cirrhosis of the liver, are not at any higher risk of haemorrhage than patients with no portal hypertension.