title: Resection rectopexy for external rectal prolapse reduces constipation and anal incontinence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main aim was to examine constipation and anal incontinence in patients before and after resection for external rectal prolapse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients had ligament preserving suture rectopexy and sigmoid resection (resection rectopexy) for external rectal prolapse by laparoscopic (n = 15) or open (n = 5) technique during 2001-2005. They were prospectively evaluated for constipation and anal incontinence using validated incontinence and KESS-constipation scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Constipation score was significantly reduced from mean 7.7 (5.4-9.9) to 4.5 (2.5-6.4) after median 4 months (1-19) and to 4.3 (2.2-6.3) after median 17 months (4-51). Six and four patients were constipated preoperatively and 17 months postoperatively, respectively. The four symptoms feeling incomplete evacuation of stool, minutes in lavatory per attempt, use of enemas/digitation and painful evacuation effort were significantly reduced, whilst stool consistency increased. Fourteen patients (70%) had anal incontinence. Corresponding and significant reduction in their scores were from mean 12.5 (9.4-15.5) to 5.1 (2.1-8.1) and to 3.6 (1.3-5.9). Incontinence was improved in 13 and unaltered in one patient(s). Two patients with worse outcome had increased stool consistency and constipation scores. Resection rectopexy for rectal prolapse reduced anal incontinence and constipation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Ulleval University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. egil.johnson@ulleval.no
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stangeland
authors.forename: H O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Johannessen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carlsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D012809:Colon, Sigmoid / Q000601:surgery*; D003248:Constipation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods*; D008022:Ligaments / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012005:Rectal Prolapse / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome