Surgical treatment of procidentia of the rectum: An evaluation of combined abdominal and perineal repair

The end results in sixteen operations for procidentia of the rectum have been presented. Three procedures, all modifications of a radical perineal operation described originally in 1948, have been employed. The advantages and disadvantages of each have been presented in detail. Although there has been only one recurrence, none of these procedures have produced a totally and completely satisfactory repair of rectal prolapse in every case. At the present time we are continuing to use abdominal perineal repair employing a limited perineal excision consisting only of mobilization of the rectum and suture of the levators anterior to it and a more extensive abdominal operation. It is our belief, at the present time, that of all the various measures recommended for the repair of rectal prolapse this represents the most anatomic and physiologic.