FUNCTIONAL PROBLEMS IN ADULT RECTAL PROLAPSE AND CONTROVERSIES IN SURGICAL-TREATMENT

Background Rectal prolapse is a condition that has fascinated surgeons for a long time. To date, no single ideal surgical treatment has been identified. The aetiology of rectal prolapse remains highly controver sial, but it is recognized that associated functional problems, such a s incontinence and constipation, are common. The pathophysiology, and controversies surrounding continence and constipation, remain topics o f debate. Method All relevant papers derived from Medline and manual s earching on rectal prolapse and associated functional problems were re viewed. Results and Conclusion The surgical management of rectal prola pse has evolved from historical encirclement procedures to current min imally invasive ones. Successful management must include adequate atte ntion to the associated functional problems in order to eradicate the basic abnormality.