Management of full thickness rectal prolapse

Abstract

Rectal prolapse occurs when the rectum invaginates and descends into the anal canal or beyond the anal sphincter muscles. Patients often report fecal incontinence, obstructed defecation, pain, and urgency and of patients who present with rectal prolapse, up to 30% will also have anterior or middle compartment prolapse. This review describes the preoperative management of patients with rectal prolapse and principles for determining the operative approach.

All patients should be optimized ahead of surgery with attention to bowel habits, pelvic floor strength and coordination, and baseline nutrition and fitness. If multi-compartment prolapse is identified, those patients should be referred for multidisciplinary management. Determining the best operation for an individual patient is best done through a shared decision-making model weighing the risks and benefits of abdominal versus perineal operations. Many patients can tolerate minimally invasive abdominal operations, but for those who cannot, perineal operations are a safe and effective option.