@article {Hammond24, author = {Kerry Hammond and David E. Beck and David A. Margolin and Charles B. Whitlow and Alan E. Timmcke and Terry C. Hicks}, title = {Rectal Prolapse: A 10-Year Experience}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, pages = {24--32}, year = {2007}, publisher = {Ochsner Journal}, abstract = {Purpose: To compare perineal to abdominal procedures for rectal prolapse over a 10-year period at a single tertiary care institution.Methods: Between May 1, 1995, and January 1, 2005, 75 patients underwent surgical intervention for primary rectal prolapse at a tertiary referral center. Surgical techniques included perineal-based repairs (Altemeier and Delorme procedures) and abdominal procedures (open and laparoscopic resection and/or rectopexy). Medical records were abstracted for data pertaining to patient characteristics, signs and symptoms at presentation, surgical procedure, postoperative length of hospitalization, morbidity and mortality, and recurrence of rectal prolapse.Results: Seventy-five patients underwent surgical intervention for rectal prolapse during the study period. The average patient age was 60.8 years. Sixty-two patients (82.7\%) underwent perineal-based repair (Altemeier n = 48, Delorme n = 14); eight patients (10.7\%) underwent open abdominal procedures (resection and rectopexy n = 4, rectopexy only n = 4); and five patients (6.7\%) underwent laparoscopic repair (laparoscopic LAR n = 3, laparoscopic resection and rectopexy n = 2). Average hospitalization was shorter with perineal procedures (2.6 days) than with abdominal procedures (4.8 days) (p \< 0.0031). Postoperative complications were observed in 13.3\% of cases. With a median follow-up of 39 months (range 6{\textendash}123 months), there was no mortality for primary repair, a postoperative morbidity occurred in 13\% of patients, and the overall rate of recurrent prolapse was 16\% (16.1\% for perineal-based repairs, 15.4\% for abdominal procedures).Conclusion: Perineal resections were more common, performed in significantly older patients, and resulted in a shorter hospital stay. Their minimal morbidity and similar recurrence rates make perineal procedures the preferred option.}, issn = {1524-5012}, URL = {https://www.ochsnerjournal.org/content/7/1/24}, eprint = {https://www.ochsnerjournal.org/content/7/1/24.full.pdf}, journal = {Ochsner Journal} }