Experience with modified Lahaut\'s procedure for rectal prolapse

Abstract

Twelve patients seen over a 14-year period (1991-2004) with complete rectal prolapse were treated by a modified Lahaut\'s operation after McMortenson [1]. The patients were followed up for a minimum period of 3 years, the last case being done in August 2001. As at the time of this report, there was no recurrence and no complications related to the procedure. There was one death from unrelated causes. Patients, who had problems with continence because of the prolapse, experienced improvement. The operation is simple, effective and can be performed by the average general surgeon. It does not involve implantation of a foreign body, a major draw back for the more popular rectopexy procedures for the treatment of rectal prolapse. It therefore commends itself to wider usage especially in developing countries where synthetic Ivalon sponge or Teflon/Mersilene mesh materials required for rectopexy are often not available.


Keywords: rectum, prolapse, sigmoidopexy

Mary Slessor Journal of Medicine Vol. 5(1), 2005: 22-27