A 26-year-old man presents with recurrent episodes of full-thickness rectal prolapse, each requiring manual reduction. He is otherwise fit with no comorbidity. Which operation offers the best functional result in a fit young patient such as this?
- A Delorme's mucosal sleeve resection
- B Altemeier's perineal proctosigmoidectomy
- C Abdominal suture mesh rectopexy ✓
- D Rubber band ligation
Correct answer: C. Abdominal suture mesh rectopexy
Explanation
For full-thickness rectal prolapse in a fit younger patient, an abdominal approach with rectopexy, whether suture fixation or mesh (Wells or Ripstein repair), gives the lowest recurrence rates and the best functional results. Perineal procedures such as Delorme's and Altemeier's are reserved for elderly or unfit patients because they avoid a laparotomy but carry higher recurrence. Rubber band ligation treats haemorrhoids and has no role in prolapse.
Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.