Rates and Histological Characteristics of Rectal Polyps in Childhood

Overview

Aim of study:
To determine a single centre incidence, rate of early and late complications and sequelae and histological characteristics of solitary rectosigmoideal polyps in children.

Methods:
Retrospective analysis of hospital charts and histological characteristics of patients operated for rectosigmoideal polyps between January 1995 and December 2005. There were 23 children operated on, the study group consists of 20 patients (3 patients were excluded because of insufficient documentation). Demographics, symptomatology, season of first manifestation, localization, histology, postoperative complications and recurrence rate were evaluated.

Results:
There were 7 boys and 13 girls in the study group (1:1.9), age at manifestation was 2–17 years (average 5.6 y.). The presenting symptom was bleeding in 14 pts, anal prolaps once and combination of both symptoms 5 times. The polyps were localized 3–15 cm from anocutaneous border, on the posterior intestinal wall. Histological examination showed a juvenile polyp in 15 (75%) patients, atypical juvenile polyp and inflammatory polyp in 2 patients each and lymphoid polyp in one case. One patient suffered from a mild bleeding postoperatively. No recurrence was noted.

Conclusion:
Polyps in children are rare, surgical removal of polyps is a relatively easy operation with minimum complications. Long term follow-up is not necessary. The seasonal occurrence of first symptoms predominantly in autumn and winter months (19 pts) has not been to our knowledge previously published.

Key words:
rectal polyps – juvenile polyps