A community hospital experience with colonoscopic polypectomies

This study analyzed 432 consecutive polypectomies performed in 279 patients in the gastroenterology unit of a community hospital. The patients were separated into 2 groups; group I--symptomatic patients considered suitable for colonoscopic examination, and group II--asymptomatic high-risk patients. The mean number of detected polyps was similar in both groups, the vast majority of the polyps in both groups were small (< 5 mm), and were mainly of tubular histology. Polyps in the rectosigmoid area were more common (56.6%) in the symptomatic patients than in the asymptomatic patients (44.1%). Fourteen percent of patients in group I and 33% in group II had no polyps within 60 cm from the anal verge. Carcinoma in situ was found in large polyps mainly in group I. Flat adenomas were not found in the studied population. The incidence of hyperplastic polyps was similar in both groups and did not predict the concomitant existence of adenomatous polyps. The male:female ratio was the same in both groups. The percent of detected polyps increased with age. A strong right shift in the location of the polyps was evident with increasing age. Multiple polyps were a common event in this Israeli population of symptomatic and high-risk asymptomatic patients. More than 30% of the polyps were found outside the reach of the sigmoidoscope, with this proportion increasing with age. These data provide further support to the claim that colonoscopy should therefore serve as the choice diagnostic tool in these high-risk populations.