title: Ventral mesh rectopexy versus conventional suture technique: a single-institutional experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Anterior mesh rectopexy is a novel surgical technique for the treatment of complete rectal prolapse, a common disorder in female elderly patients. Aim of the study was to evaluate functional outcomes after ventral mesh rectopexy and conventional suture rectopexy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients have been enrolled in this prospective study. Patients were divided into two groups: 20 patients (group A) had a conventional suture rectopexy with a standard technique and 20 patients (group B) underwent an anterior mesh rectopexy. Each patient had a clinic and defecographic diagnosis of full-thickness rectal prolapse, which was further investigated with manometry and clinical questionnaires (Wexner Constipation and Incontinence Score, Rome III criteria). Postoperative outcomes were evaluated through clinical questionnaires, a rigid rectosigmoidoscopy and a defecography, 1 year after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preoperative Wexner constipation score was greater than 15 in all the patients (21 in group A and 22 in group B); median postoperative score was 15 in group A and 11 in group B, and the difference was significant. Median preoperative incontinence score was 11 in group A and 12 in group B; median postoperative score was 9 in group A and 6 in group B. Three patients experienced recurrence in group A and only 1 patient in group B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ventral mesh rectopexy is feasible, safe and effective for the treatment of full-thickness rectal prolapse in a well-fit geriatric population. Better functional results have been achieved compared with conventional suture technique with a trend toward a lower recurrence rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy. gaetano.luglio@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Luglio
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy.
authors.forename: Rachele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tarquini
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariano Cesare
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Giglio
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy.
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sollazzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peltrini
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sacco
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spiezio
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni Domenico
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: De Palma
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bucci
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D057186:Comparative Effectiveness Research; D003248:Constipation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011351:Proctoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012005:Rectal Prolapse / Q000601:surgery*; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects
keywords: Rectal prolapse; Rectopexy; Suture rectopexy; Ventral rectopexy