Factors associated with recurrence after argon plasma coagulation combined with electrosurgical resection for intestinal polyps

Intestinal polyps may recur after endoscopic removal, and postoperative surveillance is important for reducing the risk of colorectal neoplasia. Although several studies have evaluated recurrence after conventional polypectomy or electrosurgical resection alone, evidence regarding recurrence after argon plasma coagulation (APC) combined with electrosurgical resection remains limited. This study aimed to identify factors associated with intestinal polyp recurrence after APC combined with electrosurgical resection. This single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from March 2019 to April 2024. We included 330 adult inpatients who underwent argon plasma coagulation combined with electrosurgical resection for intestinal polyps and completed postoperative colonoscopic follow-up. The primary outcome was postoperative intestinal polyp recurrence detected by follow-up colonoscopy. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and endoscopic characteristics were collected, and factors associated with recurrence were evaluated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Among the 330 included patients, 230 were male (69.7%), the mean age was 56.89 ± 11.25 years, and the mean follow-up duration was 15.58 ± 10.63 months. According to postoperative colonoscopic follow-up, 225 patients were classified into the recurrence group and 105 into the non-recurrence group. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 2.195, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.236–3.899, P = .007), polyp number ≥ 4 (OR: 2.117, 95% CI: 1.160–3.862, P = .015), and history of cholecystectomy (OR: 3.699, 95% CI: 1.184–11.554, P = .024) were independently associated with postoperative recurrence of intestinal polyps. In this single-center retrospective cohort study, male sex, polyp number ≥ 4, and history of cholecystectomy were independently associated with postoperative intestinal polyp recurrence after argon plasma coagulation combined with electrosurgical resection. These findings may help inform postoperative surveillance strategies, but further prospective studies are needed for validation.