Reappraisal of Delorme's procedure for rectal prolapse

Eighteen patients with second- and third-degree rectal prolapse were treated by simplified Delorme operation during a nine-year period. Operative mortality was nil and significant complications developed in three patients (17 percent). Long-term follow-up (average, 42 months) was established for all 18 patients revealing excellent results in 15 (83 percent). There was only one recurrent prolapse (6 percent) observed during this follow-up period. Technical details of the procedure are described. The simplified Delorme procedure provides acceptable results in the initial surgical management of rectal procidentia.