THE RISK OF INFECTION OF 3 SYNTHETIC MATERIALS USED IN RECTOPEXY WITHOR WITHOUT COLONIC RESECTION FOR RECTAL PROLAPSE

The incidence of infection was compared after the use of synthetic imp lants in abdominal rectopexy with (145 patients) and without (77 patie nts) synchronous colon resection. Three different materials were used, including polyvinyl alcohol (Ivalon) (n=87), polyglactin (Vicryl) mes h (n=109), and Gore-Tex (n=26). In patients having colonic resection t wo (3.7%) pelvic infections occurred in the polyvinyl alcohol (Ivalon) group, one abdominal infection with polyglactin (Vicryl) and none wit h Gore-Tex. In the group without colonic resection, two patients (3.0% ) developed infection after polyvinyl alcohol (Ivalon) insertion with none occurring after polyglactin (Vicryl) or Gore-Tex. Overall mortali ty was 0.4%. Followup ranged from 3 to 120 months. There were 3 (1.9%) cases of recurrent prolapse in 151 patients with full-thickness recta l prolapse.