National survey of UK endoscopists showing variation in diathermy practice for colonic polypectomy: a JAG perspective

We applaud Verma and Chilton1 for publishing their survey on diathermy use for polypectomy which provides evidence of variation in UK practice. On behalf of Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (JAG),2 the UK quality assurance body for endoscopy, we wish to share our proposals of future workstreams pertinent to diathermy.Patient safety should be at the forefront of endoscopy practice. Diathermy is a modality which, if delivered inappropriately, has the potential for serious harm. It is recognised that both efficacy and safety of polypectomy vary between endoscopists.3 4 Although such heterogeneity may be explained by individual approaches to polypectomy,5 insights specific to diathermy are now elucidated in this survey. The accruing evidence supports the need for greater standardisation of training in polypectomy and diathermy …