RESULTS OF DELORMES PROCEDURE FOR RECTAL PROLAPSE

PURPOSE: This study was designed to examine the results of Delorme's p rocedure. METHODS: Thirty-two patients (24 males and 8 females, mean a ge, 70 years) underwent Delorme's procedure between 1978 and 1990 foll owing symptoms lasting between two weeks and ten years. Thirteen patie nts had had 21 previous operations for prolapse. RESULTS: The mean ope ration time was 65 minutes. No blood transfusions were needed, there w as no operative mortality, and only two patients had complications (on e chest infection and one anastomotic dehiscence). No patients were lo st to follow-up. Over a mean follow-up of 24 months (4 months to 4 yea rs), 9 patients died of unrelated conditions. There were four recurren ces (12.5 percent), two in patients who had each had two previous proc edures. Incontinence improved in 46 percent. No patient became constip ated and 50 percent of those constipated preoperatively improved. CONC LUSION: Although abdominal rectopexy is safe and has a low recurrence rate (<5 percent), it, involves the hazards of a laparotomy. In additi on, up to 40 percent of patients become constipated after rectopexy wh ich may be debilitating. Delorme's procedure has a low morbidity, resu lts in good bowel function, and has a low recurrence rate. It can be p erformed on unfit patients with possible advantages over rectopexy and perhaps should be used more readily.