Perineal repair of rectal prolapse

Perineal approaches to the repair of rectal prolapse are frequently used in elderly or high-risk patients. These repairs have lower operative mortality and morbidity than intra-abdominal repairs but in general have higher recurrence rates. This study reviews our recent results with perineal prolapse repairs, briefly summarizes the literature, and discusses the available perineal operations. Eight patients (mean age 75 years) underwent surgical prolapse repair over an 18-month period. Treatment was by Altemeier's procedure (perineal rectosigmoidectomy) in 6 patients and Delorme's procedure in 2 patients. There were no operative mortalities, and an anastomotic dehiscence in 1 patient was managed nonoperatively. All patients with preoperative constipation improved and no patient reported worsening of continence. Surgical approaches from the perineum may be used in elderly and poor risk patients to treat rectal prolapse with low mortality and morbidity. These techniques have not adversely affected fecal continence and have improved symptoms of constipation with an acceptable rate of recurrence.