Results of Marlex mesh abdominal rectopexy for rectal prolapse in 100 consecutive patients

One hundred and six consecutive patients were seen between January 1973 and January 1982 with a circumferential full thickness rectal prolapse. One hundred were treated by abdominal rectopexy using a rectangular sling of monofilament knitted polypropylene (Marlex) mesh sutured to the sacrum and to the lateral ligaments of the mobilized rectum. There were only 9 men in the series and 23 per cent of the patients were over the age of 80 years. Sixty-seven of the patients gave a history of faecal incontinence. Previous unsuccessful treatment for rectal prolapse included a Thiersch wire or a Silastic perianal sling in 19, electrical therapy in 12, rectopexy with polyvinyl alcohol sponge (Ivalon) in 5 and pelvic floor repair in 2. There were no operative deaths following Marlex mesh rectopexy. Twelve patients had their operation performed under spinal anaesthesia because they were considered unfit for general anaesthesia. No patient developed a recurrent rectal prolapse, but 24 of the 67 patients who had incontinence experienced persistent incontinence after rectopexy (36 per cent); 10 of these patients subsequently had a postanal repair with good results. Rectopexy had no influence on anal canal pressures. Marlex mesh rectopexy is a safe and effective operation for rectal prolapse. It appears to be superior to other operations in that, so far, there has been no recurrence.