title: Rectal prolapse.
abstract: Despite the innovation of more than 100 surgical procedures for the treatment of complete rectal prolapse, no one procedure is best and applicable to all patients. Traditionally, procedures have been divided into abdominal and perineal approaches. The application of the laparoscopic approach to colon and rectal disease has allowed an additional less invasive method of therapy to treat rectal prolapse successfully. In comparison with conventional approaches, laparoscopy has achieved similar functional results and recurrence rates while reducing postoperative pain and hospital length of stay.
authors.affiliation: Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA. obriendd@uc.edu
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: O'Brien