Clinical and functional results of abdominal rectopexy with absorbable mesh-graft for treatment of complete rectal prolapse.

OBJECTIVE

To report the long term results of abdominal rectopexy in patients with complete rectal prolapse.

DESIGN

Ongoing prospective randomised study.

SETTING

Department of Surgery, Westfälische Wilhelms-University, Münster.

SUBJECTS

47 patients with complete rectal prolapse operated on between 1982 and 1989.

INTERVENTIONS

Abdominal rectopexy with absorbable mesh made of either polyglycolic acid (n = 17) or polyglactine 910 (n = 30).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Postoperative complications and late results at a mean of 50.5 (range 2-102) months after operation.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients (28%) developed postoperative complications, most of them minor; there was one enterocutaneous fistula. Thirty five patients (74%) were available for late follow up. There were no case of recurrent prolapse and 5 (14%) had developed mucosal prolapse. Of the 22 patients who had been incontinent before operation, 8 had become totally continent and 6 partially continent Overall continence improved in 18 (51%) of the 35 patients. Three patients who were continent before operation had become incontinent.

CONCLUSION

Absorbable mesh is a suitable material for abdominal rectopexy.