An abdominal repair for complete rectal prolapse

A modified sling rectopexy to the sacrum was performed in a series of 104 patients with complete rectal prolapse during 1975-86. A sling of mersilene mesh was sutured to the front of the sacrum and to the sides of the rectum without enclosing its anterior surface. A postoperative mortality of 2% and morbidity of 23% were found. Control of the prolapse was achieved in over 90% of cases and the continence rate rose from a preoperative level of 37% to 86% postoperatively. This form of abdominal repair is an effective method of correcting complete rectal prolapse in the majority of cases.