Laparoscopic Rectopexy for Rectal Prolapse -Wells Procedure

Ovidiu Bala1, Ioan Mihali1, Cornel Iancu1, Daniela Ionescu2, Bogdan Petrut3

1) 3rd Surgical Clinic. 2) Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care. 3) Medical Student, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca

Abstract

Rectal prolapse has benefited since 1939 from different surgical suspension techniques with good results. Since 1992, when the first laparoscopic attempts were made, laparoscopic rectopexy has been gaining wider acceptance. We present our first case of laparoscopic rectopexy for a 15 cm rectal prolapse in a 49 year old male patient. The used technique was the one of Wells (posterior sling rectopexy). Three 10 mm trocars and two 5 mm trocars were used. A 12/7 cm Prolene mesh was used to secure the rectum in its new position. Total blood loss was approximately 50-100 mL and total operative time was 150 minutes. The postoperative course was uneventful, the patient being discharged and cured the 10th postoperative day. Control at one month revealed no signs of prolapse with a mild constipation. Not significant for the technique or laparoscopic approach itself, nevertheless we have presented the case as our first attempt of a laparoscopic cure of this quite rare condition in Romania.

Keywords

Rectal prolapse - Wells rectopexy - laparoscopy