[Internal rectal prolapse]

Over a 2 1/2 year period a prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the occurrence and symptoms of rectal intussusception (internal procidentia). The condition was found in 28 female patients. 17 patients were operated on due to severe obstruction during defaecation, perineal pain, solitary rectal ulcer syndrome, and partial incontinence. The endopelvic findings were similar to those encountered in patients with complete, external rectal prolapse, and the operative procedure was identical (rectal mobilization, elevation, fixation, with rectosigmoid resection in most cases). Results were favorable. Conservative treatment seemed to be adequate in 7 of the 11 remaining patients.