Laparoscopic Versus Open Rectopexy for Rectal Prolapse: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Colorectal Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Procedures

Background:

• Rectal prolapse often leads to fecal incontinence and constipation.
• Surgical intervention is the primary treatment for rectal prolapse.
• Abdominal approaches include open laparotomy and laparoscopy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the outcomes of open suture rectopexy and laparoscopic rectopexy.
• To evaluate postoperative pain, hospital stay, constipation, and incontinence scores.

Main Methods:

• Randomized study of 58 patients with full-thickness rectal prolapse.
• Comparison between open suture rectopexy (27 patients) and laparoscopic rectopexy (31 patients).
• Assessment of operative time, pain, hospital stay, bowel function, and recurrence over 18 months.

Main Results:

• Laparoscopic rectopexy showed significantly shorter operative times (129 vs. 102 minutes).
• Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery experienced earlier bowel activity resumption (1.4 vs. 3.1 days) and fewer hospital days (2.5 vs. 6.8 days).
• Laparoscopic rectopexy resulted in significantly less postoperative pain on days one and two.

Conclusions:

• Laparoscopic rectopexy leads to reduced postoperative pain compared to open rectopexy.
• Shorter hospital stays and improved patient satisfaction are associated with laparoscopic rectopexy.
• No significant difference was observed in postoperative constipation or incontinence scores between the two methods.