One hundred consecutive cases of complete prolapse of the rectum treated by operation

Abstract

One hundred patients, 17 male and 83 female, ranging in age from a few days to 97 years, have been treated between 1955 and 1969 for complete prolapse of the rectum. One hundred and twelve operations were performed, 91 by the abdominal route, mostly Roscoe Graham repairs or Ivalon sponge implants, with only 2 immediate deaths. The late results were assessed usually by interview and physical examination 6 months to 14 years (mean 5 years 5 months) postoperatively. Seventy-five of the patients who had had abdominal operations were available for such assessment; 5, or 6.6 per cent, were found to have recurrent complete prolapses (and 11 mucosal recurrences of doubtful significance). Anal incontinence, so frequently associated with rectal prolapse, was improved in some of the patients after abdominal repair, but in roughly half the patients there was no improvement and in I case anal control apparently deteriorated after operation.