3. FULL THICKNESS PROLAPSE/ PROCIDENTIA
â—Ź Full-thickness protrusion of the rectum through
the anal sphincters
â—Ź Protrussion consists of all layers of rectal wall
â—Ź 4-15 cm in length
â—Ź More common in females. Female to male ratio
6:1
â—Ź Commonly associated with prolapse of uterus
● A “falling down” of the rectum so that it’s out
of the body
11. Clinical Features
♦ Mucus Discharge
♦ Rectal Bleeding
♦ Soilage
♦ Feeling of incomplete evacuation
♦ Diarrhea
♦ Itching
12. Clinical Features
♦ Children: first three years (male=female)
â—Ź Cystic fibrosis, malnutrition, diarrhea, severe cough,
parasites
♦ Adults: majority are eldery female
● Females >50 – 6 times more likely than males
â—Ź 2/3 are multiparous
â—Ź Mental illness (depression, autism)
â—Ź Neurologic disorder
â—Ź Connective tissue disorder
â—Ź Constipation and straining
13. Clinical Features
♦ Constipation is associated with prolapse in 30%-70% of pts
♦ Chronic straining, sensation of anorectal blockage, need of digital
evacation
♦ 60% have coexisting incontinence
â—Ź Stretching of anal sphincters
â—Ź Impaired rectal compliance
♦ 20-35% have associated urinary incontinence
14. NON OPERATIVE MANAGMENT
 Treat constipation
 Fiber supplements
 Stool softeners
 Digital repositioning in infants and young children
 Sub mucosal injection of 5% phenol in almond oil
 Reduce incarcerated rectal prolapse
 Table sugar
15. Surgical Treatment
♦ Mainstay in treatment of rectal prolapse
♦ Over 100 procedures
♦ In infants and young children rectum is sutured to sacrum in prone jack-knife
position.
♦ In adults with unilateral prolapse, redundant mucosa is excised or, if
circumferential, an endoluminal stapling technique can be used.
Full thickness prolapse:
♦ Perineal procedures
â—Ź Resection, reefing, and encirclement
♦ Abdominal procedures
â—Ź Fixation, colon resection or combination of both
16. Choosing Type of Surgery
♦ Abdominal
â—Ź Recurrence low
(<10%)
● ↑ constipation 50%
â—Ź Higher M & M esp.
with anastomosis
● Mesh placement –
stricture, migration,
erosion, infection
♦ Perineal
â—Ź Recurrence (20%)
â—Ź Constipation rate
unchanged
â—Ź Persistent incontinence
worse rate due to removal
of rectal resevoir
â—Ź Correction of
associated abnormalities
(rectoceole, sphincter)
● No pelvic dissection –
preserves sexual function
26. Laparoscopic Rectopexy
♦ Largely replacing open abdominal procedures
♦ Ease of performing rectopexy and colon resection simultaneously with shorter
hospital stay
♦ Morbidity and mortality no different than open controls
♦ Recurrence rate lower but not statistically significant
27. Lap ventral mesh Rectopexy
 Purpose of surgery : to correct prolapse, protect or restore
continence and avoid constipation
 Correct middle compartment prolapse too
34. Rectopexy +/- Resection
♦ Rectopexy with resection - Multiple papers
â—Ź Improvement in continence and constipation
● Mortality – 0-6.7%
● Recurrence – 0-5%
♦ Rectopexy without resection - Wilson et. Al
â—Ź 9% recurrence at 48 month f/u
â—Ź 17% severe constipation managed by laxatives
35. Conclusions
♦ Consider surgery when conservative therapy fails
♦ Careful pt selection is crucial to satisfactory outcome
♦ Tailor surgery to the specific pt
♦ Laparoscopic rectopexy allows for quicker recovery
and shorter LOS but similar recurrence
♦ Regardless of material used, correct suture and tack
placements are crucial
♦ If severely constipated, perform sigmoidectomy
♦ Pts care as much about continence and constipation