Description

Rectal prolapse is the full-thickness prolapse of the rectum, in which the rectum passes externally beyond the anal sphincters. It is a somewhat rare condition, estimated to occur in less than 0.5% of the population. Rectal prolapse has a 9:1 female predominance, and while it is occasionally seen in younger individuals, the incidence increases with age.

Surgical approaches for rectal prolapse can be divided into perineal and abdominal approaches. Traditionally, a perineal procedure such as Delorme or Altemeir operation was commonly used in elderly or frail patients while an abdominal procedure such as rectopexy with or without resection was reserved for younger and fitter patients. The frequency of laparoscopic abdominal repair of rectal prolapse has increased in recent years, with mesh rectopexy being the most popular procedure.

The mesh rectopexy operation was first described by Ripstein10 in 1952. Again, after mobilization of the rectum, an anterior sling of synthetic material (either absorbable or non-absorbable) is placed in front of the rectum and sutured to the sacral promontory. The rationale for this is to restore the natural curve of the rectum, which reduces the effect of downward abdominal pressure. The use of a non-elastic synthetic graft provides a firm anterior fascial support even in patients with significant pelvic floor descent, returning the rectum to a normal anatomical position.

The act of mobilization, suture, and fibrosis keeps the rectum fixed in position as adhesions form, attaching the rectum to the presacral fascia. Although SR is considered a good option for the cure of rectal prolapse/IS in both men and women, some reviews of this procedure noted a better overall clinical outcome in men. This may be due to occult sphincter defects in women, and failure to detect these defects before surgery owing to the lack of routine endoanal ultrasonography in the earlier years of prolapse surgery