Overview
Colonic polyps are growths protruding from the inner surface of the colon, often detected during routine screening colonoscopies. They are significant precursors to colorectal cancer if left untreated.Diagnosis
Management
Special Populations
Key Recommendations
References
Showing 100 most recent of 138 indexed papers.
1 Yamaguchi D, Ichijima R, Ikehara H, Minoda Y, Esaki M, Takamori A et al.. Efficacy and Recovery of Remimazolam Versus Midazolam in Sedated Colonoscopy: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial in Japan. Digestive endoscopy : official journal of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society 2026. link 2 Dominici S, Martins IC, Ribeiro BDL, Ohannesian VA, Sauaia BB, Santos AR et al.. Ciprofol versus propofol for sedation in colonoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Brazilian journal of anesthesiology (Elsevier) 2026. link 3 Hussein Z, Taha AM, Abouelmagd AA, Elshabrawi MN, Durvesh AK, Nada EA et al.. Efficacy and safety of esketamine for sedation during colonoscopy: A systematic review and Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. European journal of clinical pharmacology 2026. link 4 Manoros N, Thinrungroj N, Wanchaitanawong W, Pinyopornpanish K, Kijdamrongthum P, Leerapun A et al.. Assessing water-assisted colonoscopy in beginner endoscopists: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ open gastroenterology 2025. link 5 Arnold DR, Fulton BD, Abdelhadi OA, Teotia A, Scheffler RM. Private Equity Acquisition of Gastroenterology Practices and Colonoscopy Price and Quality. JAMA health forum 2025. link 6 Lam TYT, Hu Y, Yi Y, Schulz PJ, Lwin MO, Kee KM et al.. A Model Predicting Artificial Intelligence Use by Gastroenterology Nurses in Clinical Practice: A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Survey. Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology 2025. link 7 Mylin NB, Ott V, Møller AM, Brandstrup B. Sex-Dependent Differences in Colonoscopy Sedation: Protocol for a Scoping Review. Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica 2025. link 8 Thiparporn T, Supan W, Amornyotin S. Clinical Efficacy Between Intravenous Paracetamol and Intravenous Fentanyl for Propofol Deep Sedation in Colonoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Drug design, development and therapy 2025. link 9 Johnson G, Okoli GN, Askin N, Abou-Setta AM, Singh H. Propofol for sedation during colonoscopy. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews 2025. link 10 Fostier M, Delhez Q, Januleviciute G, Bairy L. Propofol-based deep sedation for colonoscopy: does sufentanil, alfentanil or ketamine help? A propensity score weighted retrospective study. PeerJ 2025. link 11 Monsma-Muñoz M, Romero-García E, Montero-Sánchez F, Tevar-Yudego J, Silla-Aleixandre I, Pons-Beltrán V et al.. Retrospective observational study on safety of sedation for colonoscopies in ASA I and II patients performed by a nurse and under the supervision of anesthesiology. Revista espanola de anestesiologia y reanimacion 2022. link 12 Kaan HL, Khor V, Liew WC, Loh TF, Leong SW, Teo SL et al.. The efficacy of on-demand sedation colonoscopy: a STROBE-compliant retrospective cohort study. Surgical endoscopy 2022. link 13 Evans B, Ellsmere J, Hossain I, Ennis M, O'Brien E, Bacque L et al.. Colonoscopy skills improvement training improves patient comfort during colonoscopy. Surgical endoscopy 2022. link 14 Wu PH, Tsai NY, Hsiao CW, Jao SW, Cheng YC. Two-Person Colonoscopy as a Training Approach to Non-sedation Colonoscopy. The American surgeon 2021. link 15 Syed S, Syed M, Prior F, Zozus M, Syeda HB, Greer ML et al.. Machine Learning Approach to Optimize Sedation Use in Endoscopic Procedures. Studies in health technology and informatics 2021. link 16 Muething L, Wani S, Hall M, Simon V, Ezekwe E, Nguyen-Vu T et al.. Adding efficiency to proficiency: a study of trainee polypectomy efficiency metrics. Endoscopy 2020. link 17 Sue-Chue-Lam C, Castelo M, Tinmouth J, Llovet D, Kishibe T, Baxter NN. Non-pharmacological interventions to improve the patient experience of colonoscopy under moderate or no sedation: a systematic review protocol. BMJ open 2020. link 18 Cassell BE, Ross K, Chang TY, Austin GL. Predictors of Failed Conscious Sedation in Patients Undergoing an Outpatient Colonoscopy and Implications for the Adenoma Detection Rate. Scientific reports 2020. link 19 Pontone S, Palma R, Donato G, Borghini R, Frattaroli S, Raniolo M et al.. Efficacy of Sedation by Midazolam in Association With Meperidine or Fentanyl and Role of Patient Distress During Elective Colonoscopy. Gastroenterology nursing : the official journal of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates 2020. link 20 Dossa F, Dubé C, Tinmouth J, Sorvari A, Rabeneck L, McCurdy BR et al.. Practice recommendations for the use of sedation in routine hospital-based colonoscopy. BMJ open gastroenterology 2020. link 21 Zhang K, Xu H, Li HT. Safety and efficacy of propofol alone or in combination with other agents for sedation of patients undergoing colonoscopy: an updated meta-analysis. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences 2020. link 22 Dossa F, Medeiros B, Keng C, Acuna SA, Baxter NN. Propofol versus midazolam with or without short-acting opioids for sedation in colonoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of safety, satisfaction, and efficiency outcomes. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2020. link 23 Hsieh YH, Tseng CW, Koo M, Leung FW. Feasibility of sedation on demand in Taiwan using water exchange and air insufflation: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology 2020. link 24 Chen HS, Wu JF, Chen HL, Ni YH. Does one-man method better than two-man method for colonoscopy insertion in children. Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan yi zhi 2019. link 25 Szeligowska J, Przybyłkowski A, Szymańska M, Niewiński G. Safety of propofol-based anesthesia for colonoscopy in older patients. Advances in gerontology = Uspekhi gerontologii 2019. link 26 Krigel A, Chen L, Wright JD, Lebwohl B. Substantial Increase in Anesthesia Assistance for Outpatient Colonoscopy and Associated Cost Nationwide. Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association 2019. link 27 Kumar NL, Kugener G, Perencevich ML, Saltzman JR. The SAFE-T assessment tool: derivation and validation of a web-based application for point-of-care evaluation of gastroenterology fellow performance in colonoscopy. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2018. link 28 Tang Z, Zhang DS, Thrift AP, Patel KK. Impact of cap-assisted colonoscopy on the learning curve and quality in colonoscopy: a randomized controlled trial. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2018. link 29 Sappenfield JW, White JD. Do we really need an anesthesiologist for routine colonoscopy in American Society of Anesthesiologist 1 and 2 patients?. Current opinion in anaesthesiology 2018. link 30 Xue M, Tian J, Zhang J, Zhu H, Bai J, Zhang S et al.. No increased risk of perforation during colonoscopy in patients undergoing propofol versus traditional sedation: A meta-analysis. Indian journal of gastroenterology : official journal of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology 2018. link 31 Nusrat S, Madhoun MF, Tierney WM. Use of diphenhydramine as an adjunctive sedative for colonoscopy in patients on chronic opioid therapy: a randomized controlled trial. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2018. link 32 Grilo-Bensusan I, Herrera Martín P, Jiménez-Mesa R, Aguado Álvarez V. Prospective study of the factors associated with poor tolerance to ambulatory colonoscopy under conscious sedation. Revista espanola de enfermedades digestivas 2018. link 33 Hopchik J. Needs Assessment Survey for Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant Colonoscopists for a Gastroenterology Community of Practice. Gastroenterology nursing : the official journal of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates 2017. link 34 Finn RT, Boyd A, Lin L, Gellad ZF. Bolus Administration of Fentanyl and Midazolam for Colonoscopy Increases Endoscopy Unit Efficiency and Safety Compared With Titrated Sedation. Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association 2017. link 35 Lin OS, La Selva D, Kozarek RA, Tombs D, Weigel W, Beecher R et al.. One year experience with computer-assisted propofol sedation for colonoscopy. World journal of gastroenterology 2017. link 36 Schulman AR, Ryou M, Chan WW. A Novel Hands-Free Abdominal Compression Device for Colonoscopy Significantly Decreases Cecal Intubation Time: A Prospective Single-Blinded Pilot Study. Journal of laparoendoscopic & advanced surgical techniques. Part A 2017. link 37 Doğanay G, Ekmekçi P, Kazbek BK, Yılmaz H, Erkan G, Tüzüner F. Effects of alfentanil or fentanyl added to propofol for sedation in colonoscopy on cognitive functions: Randomized controlled trial. The Turkish journal of gastroenterology : the official journal of Turkish Society of Gastroenterology 2017. link 38 Carrell DS, Schoen RE, Leffler DA, Morris M, Rose S, Baer A et al.. Challenges in adapting existing clinical natural language processing systems to multiple, diverse health care settings. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association : JAMIA 2017. link 39 Paggi S, Amato A, Anderloni A, Annese V, Barresi L, Buda A et al.. Pre- and post-procedural quality indicators for colonoscopy: A nationwide survey. Digestive and liver disease : official journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver 2016. link 40 Ferreira AO, Torres J, Barjas E, Nunes J, Glória L, Ferreira R et al.. Non-anesthesiologist administration of propofol sedation for colonoscopy is safe in low risk patients: results of a noninferiority randomized controlled trial. Endoscopy 2016. link 41 Okeke FC, Shaw S, Hunt KK, Korsten MA, Rosman AS. Safety of Propofol Used as a Rescue Agent During Colonoscopy. Journal of clinical gastroenterology 2016. link 42 Heo J, Jung MK, Lee HS, Cho CM, Jeon SW, Kim SK et al.. Effects of bispectral index monitoring as an adjunct to nurse-administered propofol combined sedation during colonoscopy: a randomized clinical trial. The Korean journal of internal medicine 2016. link 43 Borgaonkar MR, Pace D, Lougheed M, Marcoux C, Evans B, Hickey N et al.. Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Indicators of Safety Compromise following Colonoscopy in Clinical Practice. Canadian journal of gastroenterology & hepatology 2016. link 44 Barnett S, Hung A, Tsao R, Sheehan J, Bukoye B, Sheth SG et al.. Capnographic Monitoring of Moderate Sedation During Low-Risk Screening Colonoscopy Does Not Improve Safety or Patient Satisfaction: A Prospective Cohort Study. The American journal of gastroenterology 2016. link 45 Al-Zubaidi AM, Al-Shadadi AA, Alghamdy HU, Alzobady AH, Al-Qureshi LA, Al-Bakri IM. Retrospective comparison of sedated and non-sedated colonoscopy in an outpatient practice. Indian journal of gastroenterology : official journal of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology 2016. link 46 Tetzlaff JE. Practical considerations in the management of sedation for colonoscopy. Current opinion in anaesthesiology 2016. link 47 Behazin NS, Thompson M, Milad M, Hart J, Song J, Jeffries M et al.. Effects of the no interruption zone on distraction levels, withdrawal times, and adenoma detection rates of colonoscopy. Digestive diseases and sciences 2015. link 48 Anderson JC. Water-aided colonoscopy. Gastrointestinal endoscopy clinics of North America 2015. link 49 Allen M, Leslie K, Hebbard G, Jones I, Mettho T, Maruff P. A randomized controlled trial of light versus deep propofol sedation for elective outpatient colonoscopy: recall, procedural conditions, and recovery. Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthesie 2015. link 50 Mueller CL, Kaneva P, Fried GM, Feldman LS, Vassiliou MC. Colonoscopy performance correlates with scores on the FES™ manual skills test. Surgical endoscopy 2014. link 51 Rex DK. Water exchange vs. water immersion during colonoscope insertion. The American journal of gastroenterology 2014. link 52 Watkins TJ, Bonds RL, Hodges K, Goettle BB, Dobson DA, Maye JP. Evaluation of postprocedure cognitive function using 3 distinct standard sedation regimens for endoscopic procedures. AANA journal 2014. link 53 Türk HŞ, Aydoğmuş M, Ünsal O, Işıl CT, Citgez B, Oba S et al.. Ketamine versus alfentanil combined with propofol for sedation in colonoscopy procedures: a randomized prospective study. The Turkish journal of gastroenterology : the official journal of Turkish Society of Gastroenterology 2014. link 54 Hsieh YH, Koo M, Leung FW. A patient-blinded randomized, controlled trial comparing air insufflation, water immersion, and water exchange during minimally sedated colonoscopy. The American journal of gastroenterology 2014. link 55 Korman LY, Haddad NG, Metz DC, Brandt LJ, Benjamin SB, Lazerow SK et al.. Effect of propofol anesthesia on force application during colonoscopy. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2014. link 56 Kim YH, Kim JW, Lee KL, Joo SK, Lee J, Koh SJ et al.. Effect of midazolam on cardiopulmonary function during colonoscopy with conscious sedation. Digestive endoscopy : official journal of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society 2014. link 57 Teshima CW, Zepeda-Gómez S, AlShankiti SH, Sandha GS. Magnetic imaging-assisted colonoscopy vs conventional colonoscopy: a randomized controlled trial. World journal of gastroenterology 2014. link 58 Curtin A, Izzetoglu K, Reynolds J, Menon R, Izzetoglu M, Osbakken M et al.. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy for the measurement of propofol effects in conscious sedation during outpatient elective colonoscopy. NeuroImage 2014. link 59 Xhaja X, Church J. The use of ancillary techniques to aid colonoscope insertion. Surgical endoscopy 2014. link 60 Chung KC, Juang SE, Lee KC, Hu WH, Lu CC, Lu HF et al.. The effect of pre-procedure anxiety on sedative requirements for sedation during colonoscopy. Anaesthesia 2013. link 61 Chen PJ, Li CH, Huang TY, Shih YL, Chu HC, Chang WK et al.. Carbon dioxide insufflation does not reduce pain scores during colonoscope insertion in unsedated patients: a randomized, controlled trial. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2013. link 62 Chatman N, Sutherland JR, van der Zwan R, Abraham N. A survey of patient understanding and expectations of sedation/anaesthesia for colonoscopy. Anaesthesia and intensive care 2013. link 63 Akarsu Ayazoğlu T, Polat E, Bolat C, Yasar NF, Duman U, Akbulut S et al.. Comparison of propofol-based sedation regimens administered during colonoscopy. Revista medica de Chile 2013. link 64 Yu YH, Han DS, Kim HS, Kim EK, Eun CS, Yoo KS et al.. Efficacy of bispectral index monitoring during balanced propofol sedation for colonoscopy: a prospective, randomized controlled trial. Digestive diseases and sciences 2013. link 65 Töx U, Schumacher B, Toermer T, Terheggen G, Mertens J, Holzapfel B et al.. Propofol sedation for colonoscopy with a new ultrathin or a standard endoscope: a prospective randomized controlled study. Endoscopy 2013. link 66 Türk HŞ, Aydoğmuş M, Ünsal O, Köksal HM, Açik ME, Oba S. Sedation-analgesia in elective colonoscopy: propofol-fentanyl versus propofol-alfentanil. Brazilian journal of anesthesiology (Elsevier) 2013. link 67 Rex DK. Does the use of sedation, or the level of sedation, affect detection during colonoscopy?. The American journal of gastroenterology 2012. link 68 Manta R, Mangiavillano B, Fedeli P, Viaggi P, Castellani D, Conigliaro R et al.. Hood colonoscopy in trainees: a useful adjunct to improve the performance. Digestive diseases and sciences 2012. link 69 Plooy AM, Hill A, Horswill MS, Cresp AS, Watson MO, Ooi SY et al.. Construct validation of a physical model colonoscopy simulator. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2012. link 70 Leung FW, Aljebreen A. Health care providers' acceptance of unsedated colonoscopy before and after a state-of-the-art lecture on the feasibility of the option. Saudi journal of gastroenterology : official journal of the Saudi Gastroenterology Association 2012. link 71 Coe SG, Panjala C, Heckman MG, Patel M, Qumseya BJ, Wang YR et al.. Quality in colonoscopy reporting: an assessment of compliance and performance improvement. Digestive and liver disease : official journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver 2012. link 72 Heuss LT, Sughanda SP, Degen LP. Endoscopy teams' judgment of discomfort among patients undergoing colonoscopy: "How bad was it really?". Swiss medical weekly 2012. link 73 Falt P, Liberda M, Smajstrla V, Kliment M, Bártková A, Tvrdík J et al.. Combination of water immersion and carbon dioxide insufflation for minimal sedation colonoscopy: a prospective, randomized, single-center trial. European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology 2012. link 74 Shergill AK, McQuaid KR, Deleon A, McAnanama M, Shah JN. Randomized trial of standard versus magnetic endoscope imaging colonoscopes for unsedated colonoscopy. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2012. link 75 Molina-Infante J, Dueñas-Sadornil C, Mateos-Rodriguez JM, Perez-Gallardo B, Vinagre-Rodríguez G, Hernandez-Alonso M et al.. Nonanesthesiologist-administered propofol versus midazolam and propofol, titrated to moderate sedation, for colonoscopy: a randomized controlled trial. Digestive diseases and sciences 2012. link 76 Baudet JS, Aguirre-Jaime A. The sedation increases the acceptance of repeat colonoscopies. European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology 2012. link 77 Cardin F, Andreotti A, Martella B, Terranova C, Militello C. Current practice in colonoscopy in the elderly. Aging clinical and experimental research 2012. link 78 Shah DK, Karasek V, Gerkin RD, Ramirez FC, Young MA. Sex preferences for colonoscopists and GI physicians among patients and health care professionals. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2011. link 79 Sedlack RE. Training to competency in colonoscopy: assessing and defining competency standards. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2011. link 80 Leung J, Mann S, Siao-Salera R, Ransibrahmanakul K, Lim B, Canete W et al.. A randomized, controlled trial to confirm the beneficial effects of the water method on U.S. veterans undergoing colonoscopy with the option of on-demand sedation. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2011. link 81 Sola-Vera J, Uceda F, Brotons A, Sáez J, Girona E, Pérez E et al.. Does the use of a variable stiffness colonoscope offer advantages during colonoscopy under deep sedation? Results of a randomized trial. European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology 2011. link 82 Poincloux L, Laquière A, Bazin JE, Monzy F, Artigues F, Bonny C et al.. A randomized controlled trial of endoscopist vs. anaesthetist-administered sedation for colonoscopy. Digestive and liver disease : official journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver 2011. link 83 Løberg M, Furholm S, Hoff I, Aabakken L, Hoff G, Bretthauer M. Nitrous oxide for analgesia in colonoscopy without sedation. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2011. link 84 Porostocky P, Chiba N, Colacino P, Sadowski D, Singh H. A survey of sedation practices for colonoscopy in Canada. Canadian journal of gastroenterology = Journal canadien de gastroenterologie 2011. link 85 Leung FW, Leung JW, Mann SK, Friedland S, Ramirez FC. The water method significantly enhances patient-centered outcomes in sedated and unsedated colonoscopy. Endoscopy 2011. link 86 Lee MG, McGaw CD, Chin L, Frankson MA, Walters CA. Propofol sedation in patients undergoing colonoscopy in Jamaica. The West Indian medical journal 2011. link 87 Kruglikova I, Grantcharov TP, Drewes AM, Funch-Jensen P. Assessment of early learning curves among nurses and physicians using a high-fidelity virtual-reality colonoscopy simulator. Surgical endoscopy 2010. link 88 Mandel JE, Lichtenstein GR, Metz DC, Ginsberg GG, Kochman ML. A prospective, randomized, comparative trial evaluating respiratory depression during patient-controlled versus anesthesiologist-administered propofol-remifentanil sedation for elective colonoscopy. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2010. link 89 Seip B, Bretthauer M, Dahler S, Friestad J, Huppertz-Hauss G, Høie O et al.. Patient satisfaction with on-demand sedation for outpatient colonoscopy. Endoscopy 2010. link 90 Hsieh YH, Tseng KC, Chou AL. Patient self-administered abdominal pressure to reduce loop formation during minimally sedated colonoscopy. Digestive diseases and sciences 2010. link 91 Korman LY, Egorov V, Tsuryupa S, Corbin B, Anderson M, Sarvazyan N et al.. Characterization of forces applied by endoscopists during colonoscopy by using a wireless colonoscopy force monitor. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2010. link 92 Radaelli F, Paggi S, Amato A, Terruzzi V. Warm water infusion versus air insufflation for unsedated colonoscopy: a randomized, controlled trial. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2010. link 93 Lacasse M, Dufresne G, Jolicoeur E, Rochon L, Sabbagh C, Deneault J et al.. Effect of hysterectomy on colonoscopy completion rate. Canadian journal of gastroenterology = Journal canadien de gastroenterologie 2010. link 94 Lee H, Kim JH. Superiority of split dose midazolam as conscious sedation for outpatient colonoscopy. World journal of gastroenterology 2009. link 95 Liu SY, Poon CM, Leung TL, Wong CW, Chan YL, Leung TC et al.. Nurse-administered propofol-alfentanil sedation using a patient-controlled analgesia pump compared with opioid-benzodiazepine sedation for outpatient colonoscopy. Endoscopy 2009. link 96 Lee SH, Chung IK, Kim SJ, Kim JO, Ko BM, Hwangbo Y et al.. An adequate level of training for technical competence in screening and diagnostic colonoscopy: a prospective multicenter evaluation of the learning curve. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2008. link 97 Tam WW, Wong EL, Twinn SF. Effect of music on procedure time and sedation during colonoscopy: a meta-analysis. World journal of gastroenterology 2008. link 98 Tsai MS, Su YH, Liang JT, Lai HS, Lee PH. Patient factors predicting the completion of sedation-free colonoscopy. Hepato-gastroenterology 2008. link 99 Leung FW. Methods of reducing discomfort during colonoscopy. Digestive diseases and sciences 2008. link 100 Hsieh YH, Kuo CS, Tseng KC, Lin HJ. Factors that predict cecal insertion time during sedated colonoscopy: the role of waist circumference. Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology 2008. link