PEDIATRIC RECTAL PROLAPSE IN RWANDA

During the 1994 crisis in Rwanda, a high incidence of full-thickness r ectal prolapse was noted among the refugee children in the south-west of the country, The prolapses arose as a result of acute diarrhoeal il lness superimposed on malnutrition and worm infestation, We used a mod ification of the Thiersch wire technique in 40 of these cases during t wo months working in a refugee camp. A catgut pursestring was tied aro und the anal margin under local, regional or general anaesthesia, This was effective in achieving short-term control of full-thickness prola pse until the underlying illness was corrected, Under the circumstance s, no formal follow-up could be arranged; however, no complications we re reported and only one patient presented with recurrence.