An effective perineal procedure for the management of full-thickness rectal prolapse.

Aims: To evaluate the clinical and functional outcome of transanal purse-string sutures for rectal mucosa and submucosa plus perianal suture (TAS-PAS) for the management of full-thickness rectal prolapse.

Methods: The clinical data of 62 patients with full-thickness rectal prolapse treated with TAS-PAS between March 2000 and March 2008 were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: No patient died. Satisfaction with surgery was high in 50 cases (80.6%), moderate in 9 cases (14.5%), and low in 3 cases (4.84%). Prolapse relapse rate was 4.84%. Anal continence improved in 82.6% of patients, constipation improved in 69.2%, and anal tenesmus in 86.7%. No surgery-associated constipation occurred. The mean operative time was 52 min (range 40-80). Mean hospital stay was 4 days (range 3-7). Mean patient follow-up was 17 months (range 4-36).

Conclusions: From our data, TAS-PAS for the management of full-thickness rectal prolapse showed encouraging results with little complications and an acceptable relapse rate. This procedure induces only mild trauma and is easy to perform making it worthy of further practice and investigation.