Complete prolapse of the rectum a report on 140 cases treated by rectopexy

Indirect fixation of the rectum to the anterior ongitudinal ligament over the sacral promontory was performed at 146 operations for procidentia recti in a homogeneous series of 140 patients. Before fixation the rectum was widely dissected and thoroughly mobilized. The recurrence rate after follow-up intervals of up to 15 years was 3.6 per cent. The procedure is simple to perform and eliminates the hazard of anastomotic breakdown which is associated with excisional methods. The authors regard it as the method of choice in the operative treatment of complete rectal prolapse.