Repair of rectal prolapse by rectosacral suture fixation

In 46 patients with complete rectal prolapse a simple method of rectopexy was used, fixing the mobilized rectum to the sacrum with sutures. In 17 cases the rectopexy was supplemented with levator sutures. The patients' age range was 20-87 years and follow-up was 6 months to 17 years. There was no associated mortality and almost no morbidity. Prolapse recurred in two cases, in one of them due to incomplete fixation because of a congenital pelvic deformity. Rectopexy with sutures seemed to give results as good as the Teflon mesh and Ivalon sponge methods in regard to recurrence rate, while avoiding the complication risks associated with insertion of foreign material.