Management of colorectal polyps in children

Abstract

Forty-two patients each with a colorectal polyp have been treated in our hospital over the past 10 years. In twenty-two cases the polyps were noted in the rectum, nine in the sigmoid colon, seven in the descending colon and four in the transverse colon. Each patient had only one polyp. Hematochezia was the main symptom in 29 patients, prolapse of the polyp from the anus in 10, abdominal pain due to intussusception in two and no symptoms were observed in one. Auto-amputation of the polyp was considered to have occurred in five patients. Twelve rectal polyps were resected from a transanal operation, and another 25 polyps were removed endoscopically with electric cautery. We have had no experience of endoscopic complications such as bleeding or perforation. A histological examination revealed an adenoma in one patient. Other polyps were non-neoplastic and were classified as juvenile, inflammatory and hyperplastic in 30, two and four patients, respectively. There have been no recurrences of polyps to date.