Incarcerated and strangulated rectal prolapse

Strangled rectal prolapse in young adults: A case report

Background

Rectal prolapse (RP) is an uncommon perineal disease. It is defined as a complete protrusion or intussusception of the rectum through the anus. Strangulation of the RP is rare. This complication presents requires an emergent surgery. This case presentation aims to report the therapeutic management and results of this condition.

Observation

A 29-year-old men, who consulted for a sudden, painful, irreducible rectal prolapse. At the anus, there was an irreducible, edematous, without signs of ischemia or necrosis rectal prolapse measuring 25*10 cm wide. The laboratory data showed a high white blood cell count and elevated C-reactive protein. After a failure of external manual reduction under general anesthesia, the patient underwent emergent surgery. The procedure consisted of a rectosigmoidectomy with coloanal anastomosis using a perineal approach according to the Altemeier technique associated to a diverting ileostomy. The postoperative follow-up was uneventful. The patient was discharged at post-operative day five.

Conclusion

Strangulated RP is a rare complication. Altemeier procedure remains the intervention of choice in this situation.

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An uncommon perineal disease.

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Therapeutic surgical management and issues.

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Socio-psychological impact of this disease.

Perineal Rectosigmoidectomy (Altemeier Procedure) as Treatment of Strangulated Rectal Prolapse

Incarceration of a rectal prolapse is an unusual entity that represents a surgical emergency. Even more rarely, it becomes strangulated, requiring emergency surgery. When surgery becomes inevitable, the choice of procedure varies. A 57-year-old man who presented with strangulated rectal prolapse is described. The patient underwent emergency perineal proctosigmoidectomy, the Altemeier operation, combined with diverting loop sigmoid colostomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. After a 6-month follow-up, there was no recurrence, but the patient continued with fecal incontinence. This case underlines the importance of the Altemeier procedure as treatment in the patient with a strangulated prolapsed rectal segment.

Rectal prolapse

Optimal management of rectal prolapse requires multiple clinical considerations with respect to treatment options, particularly for surgeons who must counsel and give realistic expectations to rectal prolapse patients. Rectal prolapse outcomes are good with respect to recurrence. Although posterior rectopexy remains most popular in the United States, increasingly surgeons perform ventral rectopexy to repair rectal prolapse. Functional outcomes vary and are fair after rectal prolapse repair. Although incarceration with rectal prolapse is rare, it is potentially life threatening and requires immediate and effective measures to adequately address in the acute setting.