Turkish Journal of Colorectal Disease (Sep 2017)
Perineal Approach in Rectal Prolapse Surgery: Reliability of the Altemeier Procedure
Abstract
Aim: We compared the efficacy of the Altemeier and Thiersch procedures performed in patients treated for rectal prolapse diagnosis in our clinic. Method: Twenty-three patients who underwent Altemeier and Thiersch operation in our clinic between January 2014 and December 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic data such as age, gender, accompanying diseases, physical examination findings, anesthesia risk scores, anesthesia method, operation duration, hospitalization days, complications, and follow-up periods were noted. Assessment of quality of life was done by evaluating the Wexner incontinence score. Results: Of the 23 patients operated for rectal prolapse, 78.2% were female (n=18) and the mean age of all patients was 65.7 years. On physical examination, anal tone was absent in 13 patients and decreased in 10 patients. The mean preoperative Wexner incontinence score was 13.9 (12-16). Mean duration of operation was 14.6 minutes in Thiersch method and 42.8 minutes in the Altemeier group. The duration of hospital stay was 4 days in the Thiersch group and 5.73 days in the Altemeier group. There were no major complications in 12 patients undergoing the Altemeier procedure. Hemorrhage developed on the anastomotic line in one patient, and wound infection developed in another patient. One patient died due to myocardial infarction on the 2nd postoperative day. Perianal abscess was detected in one patient in the Thiersch group. In the Altemeier group, the postoperative 6-month Wexner score was 9.13. A decrease in the Wexner scores of 14 patients was detected. In the Thiersch group, no decrease was detected in any of the patients compared to the preoperative period. Conclusion: Altemier is a safe and easy procedure because it can be performed under regional anesthesia, enables resection, and has low short-term recurrence and complication rates.
Keywords
