Rectal sclerotherapy in children: An author's experience with a sclerosant

Abstract

Background: Rectal prolapse in children is mainly managed by conservative treatment, especially in those aged <3 years; however, intervention is indicated in cases with persistent and recurrent prolapse that is resistant to conservative treatment. Objective: To determine the efficacy of sclerotherapy using sodium tetradecyl sulphate as a sclerosant in treating rectal prolapse in children. Design: A retrospective chart review. Settings: The study was conducted in a tertiary care pediatric center in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Patients (Material) and Methods: Children aged ≥1 year with persistent rectal prolapse were included in this study, which was conducted from January 2013 to December 2021. The median follow-up period was 1 year. Main Outcome Measure: Resolution of the rectal prolapse. Sample Size: Three hundred and eighty-seven patients. Results: The success rate was 93.5% (43/46) after sclerotherapy treatment. Recurrence was noted in 6.5% of the patients who required a second dose of sclerotherapy or surgery. The median follow-up period was 8 months. There were no remarkable complications or mortality. Conclusion: Rectal sclerotherapy injection is a safe, low-cost procedure with low recurrence rate in children. Limitations: Ours was a retrospective, single-center study, and no control group was utilized. Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.