[Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome: clinical features, clinical course and treatment. Apropos of 22 cases]

Abstract

Rectopexy associated with anterior prolepsectomy was performed for 22 patients (19 females, 3 males), with solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) surrounding internal rectal prolapse. The different lesions of SRUS were distributed among 3 main groups (G) according to the macroscopic appearance: G1: solitary ulcer (n = 7); G2: ulcerated proctitis (n = 7); G3: muco-hemorroidal prolapse (n = 3). A significant difference (P less than 0.05) was observed between each group, concerning mean age (G1: 34 years, G2 = 49, G3: 65) and the degree of perineal descent, which was more important in G3 and G2. Posterior intersphincteric rectopexy was performed for 6 patients in G3, with descending perineum and faecal incontinence, treated in the same time by perineoplasty (Parks). Abdominal rectopexy, mainly by the antero-posterior technique (Nicholls), was performed for the other patients (n = 6). Large anterior prolapsectomy reaching the top of the mucosal prolapse (4-7 cm), allowing ulcer resection in 3 cases, was combined with rectopexy. Associated operations were: sphincterotomy (n = 8) for narrow fibrous anal canal, sigmoidectomy (n = 4) for dolichocolon. Mean healing time for the solitary ulcer group (G1) was 2 months, 1 month for lesion of G2 and G3. Failures concerned 1 solitary ulcer after abdominal rectopexy and 1 ulcerative proctitis after rectopexy without prolapsectomy. Anorectal pain (81%), rectal bleeding (76%), faecal incontinence (27%), straining (81%), were cured or improved in 80% of cases. These results tend to confirm the efficacy of rectopexy, specially using the antero-posterior technique, for the treatment of SUSR with internal rectal prolapse. Nevertheless, rectopexy seems to be insufficient to correct the mucosal component of internal rectal prolapse, bearing the ulcerated lesion which needs to be treated by associated anterior prolapsectomy. Similarly all functional or organic disorders involving the perineum, anal canal or colon leading to anorectal dysfunction must also be considered to ensure complete treatment.