Laparoscopic surgery for functional disorders of the rectum and the pelvic floor

Within 4.5 years, 72 laparoscopic rectopexies were performed. The indications included rectal prolapse, morphologic outlet-constipation and a combination of both. Using a modified suture rectopexy (according to Sudeck), without taking any foreign material we resected the sigmoid in 39 patients. In four cases, a resection of the sigmoid colon was carried out. Conversion rate was 2% and complications that needed reoperation occurred in 9%. No patient died; laparotomy rate was only 4%. In the mean follow up period of 24.1 months (max. 50 months), no recurrent prolapse occurred. Incontinence was abolished or improved in 64% and outlet-constipation was improved in 85%. Laparoscopic rectopexy with or without sigmoid resection seems to be of benefit for the patient: quicker convalescence; less pain; small scars; no recurrence; and improvement of constipation and incontinence.