Objective  To analyze the incidence and risk factors of colorectal adenomatous polyps (CAP) in recipients after liver transplantation.

  Methods  Seventy-seven liver transplant recipients and 231 individuals undergoing colonoscopy during physical examination were recruited in this study. The incidence of CAP and pathological examination results were analyzed. Clinical data of liver transplant recipients were collected. According to the incidence of CAP, liver transplant recipients were divided into the CAP group (n=28) and non-CAP group (n=49). The risk factors of CAP after liver transplantation were identified.

  Results  The 5-year cumulative incidence rates of colorectal polyps in liver transplant recipients and physical examination individuals were 43% and 34%, and 29% and 23% for the 5-year cumulative incidence rates of CAP, with no significant differences (both P > 0.05). Among all liver transplant recipients, 65 polyps were detected. The quantity of polyps in 1 case was excessively high and not counted. Multiple polyps were identified in certain recipients. Five polyps were not prepared for pathological examination due to small size. Pathological examination of 60 polyps demonstrated 25 inflammatory polyps, 33 CAP (8 complicated with low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and 3 complicated with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia), and 2 well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Cox model analysis prompted that use of ciclosporine after liver transplantation was an independent risk factor for CAP in the recipients.

  Conclusions  The risk of CAP is slightly elevated after liver transplantation. Postoperative use of ciclosporine is an independent risk factor for CAP in recipients after liver transplantation. Colonoscopy should be emphasized in the recipients after liver transplantation.