Reappraisal of Ekehorn's rectopexy in the management of rectal prolapse in children.

An old and simple operative technique for the treatment of rectal prolapse in children, first described by Ekehorn in 1909, has been reviewed. The technique consists of the insertion of a mattress suture (nonabsorbable and multifilament material) in the rectal ampulla through the lowermost part of the sacrum: the strands of the mattress suture are tied firmly over a piece of dry gauze at the level of the sacrococcygeal junction. By leaving the suture in place for 10 days, the local inflammation and infection causes firm adhesions between the rectal wall and the perirectal tissue so that the anorectal wall is bound to the surroundings (sacrorectopexy). The results of this retrospective study on 22 patients proves that this form of transsacral rectopexy in the management of rectal prolapse in children is effective (100%), simple and without complications compared to other techniques. There were no recurrences and no major morbidity. The overall surgical treatment of rectal prolapse in children is briefly reviewed.