Successful treatment of rectal prolapse by laparoscopic suture rectopexy

Background: A wide variety of procedures are used for management of rectal prolapse. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of laparosc opic suture rectopexy in the treatment of this condition. Methods: From May 1991 to May 1998, 32 consecutive patients were treated by laparoscopic suture rectopexy. In four of them, an additional sigmoid cole ctomy was performed for refractory constipation or redundant large bowels. The clinical data were analyzed. Results: Of our 32 patients, 27 were female and five were male. The median age was 51.5 years (range, 20-87). The median operative time was 150 min (r ange, 90-300), and the median hospital stay was 5 days (range, 2-20). There were no operative mortalities. Three postoperative complications required reoperations for bowel obstructions. At a median follow-up of 33 months (ra nge 3-78), there were two complete recurrences. Conclusions: Our experience indicates that laparoscopic suture rectopexy, w ith and without sigmoid colectomy, is safe, feasible, and effective for the treatment of rectal prolapse.