Introduction:

Because colorectal cancer (CRC) originates from adenomatous and serrated polyps, it is recommended that all colonic polyps be resected and sent to pathology. However, there is controversy over this recommendation in the case of rectal and sigmoid polyps measuring less than 5 mm. Strategies using advanced NBI endoscopes to either “resect and discard” or leave “in situ” have been proposed. Concordance with histopathology of over 90% has been achieved. No prospective studies of the prevalence and histological characteristics of these rectal and sigmoid polyps had been done with white light in this country, so we undertook this study.

Materials and methods:

This is an analytical and prospective prevalence study. Screening colonoscopies performed in the gastroenterology unit of Clínica Fundadores in Bogotá between January and July 2018 were included.

Results:

Seven hundred nineteen patients were included. The prevalence of tiny polyps in the rectum and sigmoid colon was 27% (95% CI: 23.7 to 30.2%). Fifty percent were adenomatous, but eight cases had high grade dysplasia. Among the tiny polyps, three were neuroendocrine tumors. There was no cancer in any of the lesions.

Conclusions:

Half of the tiny polyps found were adenomatous, and eight (0.83%) had high grade dysplasia. We recommend resecting all tiny polyps until local studies conducted with NBI or other technology demonstrate the ability to discriminate between the more than 90% hyperplastic polyps (leaving them in situ) and adenomatous polyps (resect them).

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