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

Abstract

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.