[Endoscopic polypectomy of the colon in children]

Colon Polyps constitute are one of the most frequent causes of rectal bleeding in infancy. The advent of endoscopic polypectomy through colonoscopy has resulted very useful in their treatment. From 1979 to 1984, 73 polypectomies were performed in 64 patients with colonic polyps, between 2 and 14 years old, 26 girls and 38 boys. 103 polyps were resected, 71 pedunculated and 32 sessiles. The most frequent location was the recto-sigmoid (85.6%), with 14.4% situated above it. 55.7% of the removed polyps were more than 1 cm., juvenile histologic type predominating (90%). No complication was observed either during or after this procedure. It is demonstrated that, endoscopic polypectomy in children is a safe, simple and effective method which avoids complications that may or surgery might produce.