The long-term results of polyvinyl alcohol (Ivalon) sponge for rectal prolapse in young patients

The long-term outcome of Ivalon sponge rectopexy for rectal prolapse in a group of young patients was reviewed. Thirty-two patients under the age of 40 underwent Ivalon sponge rectopexy between 1961 and 1975 with no mortality and one early complication. Twenty-five patients (9 men; 16 women) aged 13-39 years (median 28 years) at the time of operation were interviewed and examined in the Out-Patient Department between 5 and 20 years (median 10 years) after the operation. Five (20 per cent) had developed recurrence which occurred at 1, 1, 5, 6 and 9 years. There was no significant change in bowel habit postoperatively, with the exception of 3 patients with diarrhoea who reverted to normal. There was some disturbance in faecal continence pre-operatively in 20 patients, of whom 15 (75 per cent) were improved by rectopexy. All patients had normal urinary and sexual function, and there was no disturbance of menstruation in females following rectopexy. Three men who wished to have children were successful. Three of six women who attempted to conceive post-operatively had normal pregnancies and deliveries. The three women who failed to do so had already been investigated for infertility before the operation. No patient developed pelvic malignancy.