Summary
Forty-two cases of prolapse of the rectum are reported which were operated upon from 1949 to 1958. Thirty-one patients underwent Graham’s operation, and 11 a combination of Graham’s procedure and Pemberton’s proctopexy.
Roentgenologic examination and observation made at laparotomy have demonstrated that rectal prolapse may be caused either by depth of the pelvic cul-de-sac or by weakening of the rectal fixation. Possibly the two types may be combined. Five recurrences were recorded. In four the recurrence was due to weakening of the rectal fixation in patients treated by closure of the pelvic cul-de-sac according to Graham. Since the type of the prolapse cannot always be determined, Graham’s procedure should be combined with Pemberton’s proctopexy.
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References
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Snellman, B. Complete prolapse of the rectum. Dis Colon Rectum 4, 199–205 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02616466
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02616466