What role does full rectal mobilization alone play in the treatment of rectal prolapse?

Rectal mobilization is a component of many operations for the treatment of rectal prolapse. How much of the successful treatment of this condition is due to this procedure alone has not been previously investigated. Full posterior rectal mobilization was done alone without sigmoid resection or rectopexy in thirteen patients. Of the thirteen patients with a mean follow-up of 33.4 months, there have been one early and one late recurrence. One further patient had a anterior mucosal prolapse at 1 year. Ten patients remain recurrence-free. In conclusion, rectal mobilization alone gives results close to more extensive operations and may be the major component of their success. In addition it may have less risk of sepsis.