Experience with extracorporal resection in the treatment of complete rectal prolapse

Twenty-seven patients presenting with complete rectal prolapse were treated by extracorporal resection using a stapling device. The mean age of the fe male patients was 74 +/- 15 years, the mean operation time 61 +/- 17 min, t he mean length of hospital slay 17 +/- 8 days. 96 % of the patients suffere d from at least one concurrent disease necessitating treatment. Perioperati ve mortality was 3.7%, postoperative complications occurred in 18% of our p atients. After surgery 19 % of the patients were incontinent. Extracorporal resection using a stapling device proves to be a secure and technically ea sy-to-perform procedure in the treatment of complete rectal prolapse. Due t o several advantages compared with transabdominal procedures, the indicatio n for perineal repair of a complete rectal prolapse by extracorporal resect ion should not be confined to highrisk patients.