Laparoscopic implementation of the Altemeier procedure for recurrent rectal prolapse. Technical note.
BACKGROUND
Many surgical options exist to treat rectal prolapse with different indications, feasibility and results in urgent and complicated cases. These include perineal or abdominal approaches including rectopexy with or without resection. Perineal approaches have reduced surgical invasivity and hospital stay if compared to transabdominal approaches by open surgery or laparoscopy. Up to now there was still a clear dividing line for surgical treatment between the perineal approach, used more for complicated emergency case while the transabdominal open, or laparoscopic approach more common in elective surgery, but more complex to perform.


METHODS
A 37 year old female patient affected by psychiatric disease presented with an unreducible second recurrence of a complicated rectal prolapse. The patient was treated with a third Altemeier procedure but now performed under laparoscopic control. The patient recovered promptly without any complication or recurrence up to the 24 months follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report describing the combined laparoscopic-perineal approach for the treatment of a complicated recurrence of rectal prolapse. The technical feasibility, the rapidity, the optimal outcome and the rationale behind this option all suggest that this laparoscopic assistance certainly allows an implementation of the effectiveness, safety and results of an established effective perineal approach.


CONCLUSIONS
This combined approach has the advantage of maintaining the simplicity and rapidity of conventional perineal surgery, adding the advantages of abdominal control and avoiding the risks, the invasivity, and the longer duration of more complex laparoscopic procedures.
Department of Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania - General Surgery and Minivasive HPB Surgery, Cannizzaro Hospital Via Messina 829, 95100 Catania, Italy. Electronic address: glagreca@unict.it.
Gaetano
G
La Greca
Department of Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania - General Surgery and Minivasive HPB Surgery, Cannizzaro Hospital Via Messina 829, 95100 Catania, Italy.
Maria
M
Sofia
Department of Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania - General Surgery and Minivasive HPB Surgery, Cannizzaro Hospital Via Messina 829, 95100 Catania, Italy.
Stefano
S
Primo
Department of Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania - General Surgery and Minivasive HPB Surgery, Cannizzaro Hospital Via Messina 829, 95100 Catania, Italy.
Valentina
V
Randazzo
Department of Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania - General Surgery and Minivasive HPB Surgery, Cannizzaro Hospital Via Messina 829, 95100 Catania, Italy.
Rosario
R
Lombardo
Department of Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania - General Surgery and Minivasive HPB Surgery, Cannizzaro Hospital Via Messina 829, 95100 Catania, Italy.
Domenico
D
Russello
Altemeier; Complication; Laparoscopy; Rectal prolapse; Recurrence; Surgical technique