Tattooing gone wrong

  • Mark Ian Hampton Victoria Hospital Wynberg
  • Claire Warden University of Cape Town
  • Francois Pieter Botha National Health Laboratory Service
Keywords: Colon, tattoo, Polyps

Abstract

Endoscopic tattooing of colonic lesions has become common practice. The dyes selected for tattooing differ depending on what the purpose of the tattoo is. Large polyps for which endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is planned are tattooed with diluted methylene blue. This temporarily stains the muscularis propria of the bowel wall and helps safeguard against full thickness resection. The tattoo disappears within a few hours.

Author Biographies

Mark Ian Hampton, Victoria Hospital Wynberg

Department of Surgery
Victoria Hospital Wynberg; and
Department of General Surgery
Groote Schuur Hospital
Colorectal Surgery Unit
University of Cape Town

Claire Warden, University of Cape Town

Department of General Surgery
Groote Schuur Hospital
Colorectal Surgery Unit
University of Cape Town

Francois Pieter Botha, National Health Laboratory Service

University of Cape Town; and
Division of Anatomical Pathology
Groote Schuur Hospital
National Health Laboratory Service

Published
2017-04-11
How to Cite
Hampton, M., Warden, C., & Botha, F. (2017). Tattooing gone wrong. South African Journal of Surgery, 55(1), 47. Retrieved from http://sajs.redbricklibrary.com/index.php/sajs/article/view/2290
Issue
Vol 55 No 1 (2017)
Section
Letters to the Editor

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