title: Rectal prolapse in young women.
abstract: Rectal prolapse belongs to the group of rare diseases of the rectum and anus. It is mostly observed in elderly multiparous women in the seventh and eighth decade. The precise cause of this pathology is not thoroughly understood that is why there are no optimal standards of treatment. The aim of the study was to present pathophysiology, diagnostics and optimal surgical procedures employed in young patients with rectal prolapse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Out of a 56-patient group treated in Department of General and Colorectal Surgery in the years 2006-2011 a smaller one consisting of 11 young women between the ages 20-40 was selected. According to the literature this is a very rare time of the mentioned pathology occurrence. In the studied females grade of rectal prolapse as well as faecal incontinence based on Jorge-Wexner's (Cleveland) scale were assessed before and after the operative treatment. All of them underwent transabdominal Wells and Frikman-Goldberg prolapse procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transabdominal approaches repair pathologies of the pelvic floor and have promising longstanding results improving quality of life. No rectal prolapse recurrences were observed. The mean score of the Wexner's grading system was 7.81 diminishing to 1.9 points postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rectal prolapse if untreated, is a pathology that substantially changes patients' quality of life for the worse. Individual, standardized surgical approach to each patient is necessary. Transabdominal methods carry a low risk of complications and improve quality of life of young patients enabling a relatively quick return to normal life.
authors.forename: Bartosz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wnęk
authors.forename: Krystian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Waraczewski
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chalcarz
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kędzia
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lożyńska-Nelke
authors.forename: Paulina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hołodyńska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012005:Rectal Prolapse / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult