[Internal rectal invagination treated with rectopexy and sigmoid resection].

BACKGROUND

Internal rectal intussusception, usually occurring in women, causes constipation and incomplete evacuation of stool.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Twenty-one women and one man (median age 48) were operated with suture rectopexy and sigmoid resection. The patients were examined with anoscopy and defecography, and symptomatic outcome, patients' satisfaction and morbidity were evaluated. Outcome was based mainly on the validated KESS score for constipation.

RESULTS

There was a significant reduction in all ten symptoms. Faecal incontinence improved in the two afflicted patients after operation. The number of patients with constipation was reduced from 20 to 8 (p < 0.01); none became constipated. Mean (95 % CI) colonic transit times in ten constipated patients was reduced from 5.3 (4.1-6.4) to 4.0 (2.6-5.4) days (p = 0.08); seven of these patients had a reduction of transit time as well as constipation score.

INTERPRETATION: Rectopexy with sigmoid resection improved symptoms, including constipation and feeling of incomplete rectal emptying.