Perineal excision of rectal procidentia in elderly high-risk patients. A ten-year experience.

PURPOSE: This report presents a ten-year experience with perineal excision and posterior levator ani repair in elderly, high-risk patients with complete rectal procidentia.

METHODS

Seventy-two patients with rectal prolapse were treated with perineal excision. Nine presented with acute incarcerated rectal prolapse. Mortality, morbidity, recurrence rates, and improvement of anal continence were assessed.

RESULTS

Recurrence rate was 5.5 percent. Improvement in anal continence was seen in 66.7 percent of patients. Morbidity and mortality was low.

CONCLUSIONS

Perineal excision of rectal prolapse is safe and has a low recurrence rate. Posterior levator ani repair seems to improve anal continence.