Rectopexy for internal rectal intussusception

Twelve patients presented with symptomatic internal intussusception of the rectum between 1979 and 1987. All were women with a mean age of 55.5 years. Ten patients had symptoms of obstructed defaecation and only three were completely continent. Polyvinyl alcohol sponge abdominal rectopexy was performed in each patient. Over a mean follow-up period of 26.9 months there was no recurrence of internal intussusception. The functional results, however, were mixed but only one patient remained incontinent for solid stool. Rectal discomfort and defaecatory difficulties persisted; six patients continued to strain at stool and in three this was worsened by the operation. Abdominal rectopexy can be recommended for those with associated incontinence, significant rectal bleeding or solitary rectal ulcer but may not benefit those who have obstructed defaecation.