Laparoscopically assisted anterior resection for rectal prolapse

We report for the first time the treatment of rectal prolapse by laparoscopically assisted anterior resection. A 52-year-old woman, institutionalized for the last 10 years after diffuse cerebral injury secondary to toxic shock syndrome, developed rectal prolapse. A long life span is anticipated for this otherwise healthy middle-aged woman. Anterior resection was selected as treatment because of the low, long-term rates of recurrence of rectal prolapse. Approximately 2 1/2 ft of sigmoid colon and proximal rectum were resected. The anastomosis was constructed using a double-stapling technique. After surgery, the patient experienced virtually no pain and received only a single injection of pain medicine in the postoperative period. She was started on clear liquids on the first postoperative day and a regular diet on the second. She passed flatus on postoperative day 2 and stool on day 5. She was discharged 7 days after the operation. We believe that laparoscopically assisted anterior resection offers a promising new option for the treatment of rectal prolapse.