Objective To explore the effect of Tiaochang Xiaoliu Formula（调肠消瘤方） on the postoperative recurrence of colorectal adenoma

as well as the possible underlying mechanism. Methods Eighty-four patients with colorectal adenoma were randomly divided into treatment group and control group

with 42 patients in each group. All patients underwent endoscopic polypectomy; additionally

Tiaochang Xiaoliu Formula was administered in treatment group

one dose daily

for three months. Colonoscopy was used to check whether there was recurrence of adenomatous polyps one year after the polypectomy

and the recurrence rate was calculated. The expression of Beclin1

p53 and cyclooxygenase 2（Cox-2） in colon tissue were detected by immunohistochemical method before treatment and one year after operation. Results Eighty-one patients completed the trial

while one case in treatment group and two cases in control group dropped out. The 1-year recurrence rate was 12.2%（5 of the 41 patients） in treatment group

significantly lower than 40.0%（16 of the 40 patients） in control group（t=8.15

P=0.04）. The average number of recurrent adenomas per person was 1.80±1.30 in the treatment group and 2.19±1.56 in the control group

with no significant difference between groups（t=0.501

P=0.622）. The expression of Beclin1

p53

and Cox-2 in the colon tissue significantly decreased in both treatment and control group one year after the operation when compared to those before treatment（P<0.05）

and more changes were seen in the treatment group（P<0.05）. Conclusion Tiaochang Xiaoliu Formula may help decreasing the recurrence rate of colorectal adenoma after operation

possibly by inhibiting autophagy

decreasing abnormal cell proliferation

and relieving inflammation of the colonic mucosa.