Repair of short full-thickness rectal prolapse by transanal double circular stapled partial rectal wall resection

Background: The standard procedure in the treatment of full-thickness rectal prolapse is transabdominal rectopexy, mostly in combination with a distal colon resection, although transanal and perineal procedures are also applied. Alternatively and in accordance with circular stapled anopexy following Longo's technique, a short full-thickness rectal prolapse of up to 4 cm in patients in a reduced general condition can be repaired by double rectal cuff resection using a circular stapler. Methods: Case reports. Results: This technique was performed in 3 female patients. There were no intraoperative complications. Two postoperative bleedings occurred under anticoagulation. A median follow-up period of 23 months showed no prolapse recurrence. In all cases, the anastomotic area was of normal with and well circulated. Conclusions: In patients in a reduced general condition who are suffering from short full-thickness rectal prolapse of up to 4 cm, double resection of the rectal cuff using a circular stapler seems to be a suitable option for rectal prolapse repair.