A Novel Percutaneous Technique for Treating Complete Rectal Prolapse in Adults

PURPOSE: To evaluate a new technique for treating complete rectal prolapse in adults that combines injection sclerotherapy with anal encirclement. METHODS: From 2008 to 2012, 20 patients were treated using combined perirectal injection sclerotherapy with anal encirclement. The primary outcome was recurrent full-thickness/mucosal rectal prolapse. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 39 years. The mean operating time was 17 minutes. Patients had short hospital stays (range = 2-4 days) and rapid recovery with no serious postoperative complications. After a mean follow-up of 22 months, recurrence occurred in 9 patients, and was complete in 6 cases and mucosal in 3 patients. Recurrent mucosal prolapse was treated with a mucosectomy, while recurrent complete rectal prolapse was treated with an open rectopexy with mesh. CONCLUSION: The combination of perirectal sclerotherapy and anal encirclement for treating complete rectal prolapse in adults is a simple and safe procedure with reasonable outcome. These findings call for confirmatory trials in larger series.