In colorectal cancer screening era a huge burden of medical resources has been applied to surveillance. Although the adherence to post-polipectomy recommendations is a advocated as a mainstay for quality assurance colonoscopy programs, prospective data on appropriateness of surveillance are lacking.

The aim of present study was to evaluate the percentage of subjects in which timing of surveillance colonoscopy in practice agrees with that recommended by guidelines and to identify factors associated to the appropriateness of surveillance.

Inclusion Criteria:

• consecutive colonoscopy outpatients
• adults (18-80 yrs)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects with missing data on polyp findings at previous colonoscopy (number, endoscopic or histological features)
• Subjects with unsatisfactory quality standards of previous examination (no cecal intubation, inadequate bowel preparation, incomplete polyp resection)
• patients with a medical history of inflammatory bowel disease, inherited or other polyposis syndrome and colorectal cancer.

All patients referred to one out of 29 endoscopy units in Italy to undergo colonoscopy