Post-polypectomy electrocautery syndrome is characterized by peritonitis in the absence of perforation that occurs after electrocautery polypectomy. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment are needed to avoid unnecessary exploratory laparotomy or hospitalization.

Polypectomies, polypectomy procedures performed during endoscopy, are generally safe. The most feared complication of this procedure is colonic perforation, which presents as acute post-endoscopy peritonitis. A less well-known entity, post-polypectomy electrocautery syndrome, should be considered in the differential diagnosis when a patient presents with acute post-endoscopy abdominal pain.