[Results of regular follow-up after removal of colorectal adenomas]

After resection of colorectal adenoma 453 patients were included in a follow-up program between 1. 1. 1980 and 30. 6. 1991. 275 patients underwent regular follow-up examinations, the primary drop-out rate was 39.2%. In the 275 participating patients 492 primary adenoma were removed. 174 patients (63.3%) had a single adenoma, while 101 patients showed multiple primary adenoma (36.7%). The average follow-up interval was 37 (+/- 28.2) months. During follow-up we found new adenoma in 105 patients (38.2%), the Kaplan-Meier estimation of the five-year-recurrence rate was 55.9% (95% confidence-interval 46.9 to 64.8%). The risk of recurrence was increased in patients with multiple primary adenoma (p = 0.003) and multivariate risk analysis showed an independent influence of histology on recurrence rate (p = 0.07). In six patients colorectal carcinoma were detected during adenoma follow-up. During regular follow-up examinations after surgical treatment for colorectal adenoma in more than 30% of all patients new colorectal polyps were detected and removed. Therefore follow-up for colorectal adenoma is effective in prevention of colorectal carcinoma. Still frequency of follow-up examinations have to be adapted to the individual risk of recurrence for each patient.