| [ Summary ] |
The aim of this study is to disclose the risk factors associated with metachronous colonic polyps after polypectomies and to establish proper surveillance programs. Analysis of the 536 observed cases after colonic polypectomies pointed out three risk factors; a) the patients age over the 50, b) positive fine polyps (less than 5 mm in diameter) seen in colonoscopies after the initial colonic polypectomy. c) the number of polyps resected during the initial polypectomy. Based on the cox proportional-hazards model, the cases of post colonic polypectomy should be divided into five surveillance interval groups: 5 years {a) no, b) no, c) any}, 3-4 years {a) no, b) yes, c) no} and {a) yes, b) no, c) no}, 2-3 years {a) no, b) yes, c) yes} and {a) yes, b) no, c) yes}, 2 years {a) yes, b) yes, c) no}, 1-2 years {a) yes, b) yes, c) yes}. We recommend performing one total colonoscopy to confirm that all polyps 5 mm or larger in size are cleared and apply the proper interval to surveis in accordance with the above mentioned risk factors. |