A retrospective study on treatment strategy for outpatient diminutive colorectal polyps

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the treatment strategy for outpatient diminutive colorectal polyps.
 Methods: Diminutive colonic polyps (≤5 mm in size) patients detected at the initial screening colonoscopy between January 2012 to December 2014 at outpatient endoscopy center of the Second Xiangya Hospital were retrospectively studied. The linear growth rate of the natural history cases without polypectomy (Group A, n=31) and the recurrence rate after polypectomy (Group B, n=212) were analyzed. Then the adenoma detection rate, the incidence of advanced adenoma and cancer were compared between the 2 groups.
 Results: Patients were followed up for 1.5-57.6 months. In the Group A, 61.2% patients' linear diameter remained stable and 19.4% patients were progressed. The growth rate in 12.1-24.0 months were the highest (25.0%). In the Group B, overall recurrence rate was 16% after polypectomy in the Group B. The highest recurrence rate for the first follow-up was 12.1-24.0 months, accounting for 14.3%. The adenoma detection rates in the Group A and the Group B were 38.7% and 54.2%, respectively. In the Group A, 3.2% of patients naturally progressed to advanced adenoma, and 1.4% of patients in the Group B relapsed into advanced adenoma. No cancerous patients were found in either group.
 Conclusion: Outpatient diminutive colorectal polyps can be temporarily unremoved for colonoscopy screening. It is advisable to perform colonoscopy within 12-24 months.