Perineal mesh rectopexy with sterile talc in children with rectal prolapse

M Nazem1, M Hosseinpour, M Farhadi

  • 1Al-Zahra Hospital, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran.

Insights

Perineal mesh rectopexy using sterile talc in children offers comparable outcomes to abdominal surgery with a significantly higher resolution of constipation and a low complication rate.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Surgical Innovation

Background:

  • Optimal treatment for pediatric rectal prolapse remains debated due to varied success rates of existing options.
  • This study investigates perineal mesh rectopexy with sterile talc-soaked mesh as an alternative to abdominal rectopexy.
  • Evaluating success rates and complications is crucial for determining the best surgical approach.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy and safety of perineal mesh rectopexy with abdominal rectopexy in treating pediatric rectal prolapse.
  • To assess outcomes including complication rates, constipation resolution, and hospitalization duration.
  • To determine if perineal mesh rectopexy is a viable alternative surgical option.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized control trial involving 120 children with rectal prolapse.
  • Children were randomized into two groups: abdominal posterior mesh rectopexy (control) and perineal mesh rectopexy with a gradually removed talc-soaked mesh (case).
  • Outcomes measured included postoperative complications, infection rates, constipation resolution, and duration of hospitalization, with a one-year follow-up.

Main Results:

  • No statistically significant difference in overall postoperative complications or infection rates between the two groups.
  • A significantly higher resolution of constipation was observed in the perineal rectopexy group (96.8%) compared to the abdominal group (68.4%).
  • Hospitalization duration was comparable between the perineal and abdominal rectopexy groups.

Conclusions:

  • Perineal mesh rectopexy with sterile talc demonstrates an acceptable outcome and a low complication rate in pediatric patients.
  • This technique presents a promising alternative to traditional abdominal surgery for rectal prolapse in children.
  • The improved resolution of constipation highlights a key benefit of the perineal approach.
Abstract