Objective To investigate the effect of endoscopic cold snare polypectomy (CSP) on the complete polyp resection rate and stress response in patients with colorectal small polyps.

Methods A total of 138 patients with colorectal small polyps were selected, and were assigned to control group (n=69) and observation group (n=69) according to single-blind randomization method. The control group underwent endoscopic hot snare polypectomy (HSP), and the observation group underwent CSP. The polypectomy time, surgical duration, hospital stay, complete resection rate, the levels of epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE), cortisol (Cor), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), the 6-month polyp regeneration rate and polyp recurrence rate after operation were compared between the two groups.

Results The polyp resection time, operation duration, and hospital stay in the observation group lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05); the levels of E, NE, Cor, CRP and IL-6 in two groups were higher after surgery, and the observation group was lower than the control group(P < 0.05).

Conclusion CSP has a similar complete resection rate to endoscopic HSP in patients with colorectal small polyps, but CSP has less stress and inflammation and is more conducive to recovery.