Functional results after surgery for overt rectal prolaps

Several procedures have been designed and applied to treat overt rectal prolapse (ORP). Transperineal procedures, such Altemeier and Delorme operations, are associated with less morbidity, but higher rate of recurrence and less optimal functional results. Transabdominal procedures include a variety of rectopexies with the use of prosthesis or sutures and with or without resection of the redundant sigmoid colon. Nowadays, they are all approached by laparoscopy. Traditional prosthesis rectopexies repair ORP and improve incontinence, but are associated with increased rate of constipation. Resection sutuere-rectopexy seems to be associated with the best functional results, particular in patients with slow transit constipation and diverticular disease. More recently, prosthesis ventral coloporectopexy seems to be less invasive and to offer very satisfactory results.