Colonoscopic polypectomy in children

Between January 1984 and July 1990, a total of 129 colonoscopic snare polypectomies were performed during 77 sessions on 74 patients aged 2 to 12 years. Bleeding per rectum (mean duration, 10 months) was the chief presenting symptom and was present in all of these patients. In 89% of patients polypectomy was carried out without using general anesthesia. Ninety-six percent of patients had juvenile polyps. Two patients had familial polyposis coli and one patient had a solitary adenomatous polyp. The majority (98; 80%) of the polyps were located in the rectosigmoid region. Four patients developed complications, one needing emergency operation. There were no deaths in the series. It is concluded that colonscopic snare polypectomy is a simple, effective, and safe procedure for treating colorectal polyps in children.