Comparison of Laparoscopic Mesh and Suture Rectopexy in the Treatment of Rectal Prolapse: A Study in a Tertiary Care Center of Southern Odisha
Biswajita Rautaray, Utsav Kumar Senapati, Inukanti Gopal, Sumita TripathyAbstract
Background:
Complete rectal prolapse is a debilitating condition commonly associated with fecal incontinence and constipation. Laparoscopic rectopexy is an established treatment, with both suture rectopexy and mesh rectopexy being widely practiced. However, the comparative functional outcomes of these procedures remain controversial.
Aim:
We aimed to compare the clinical and functional outcomes of laparoscopic suture rectopexy and laparoscopic mesh rectopexy in patients with complete rectal prolapse.
Materials and Methods:
This prospective observational study included 48 patients with complete rectal prolapse who underwent laparoscopic rectopexy between March 2021 and February 2024. Twenty-five patients underwent laparoscopic suture rectopexy and 23 underwent laparoscopic mesh rectopexy. Patients were followed for a mean duration of 12 months. Outcome measures included operative time, return of bowel function, hospital stay, improvement in fecal incontinence and constipation, postoperative complications, and recurrence.
Results:
The mean operative time was significantly shorter in the suture rectopexy group (110.6 ± 10.4 min) than in the mesh rectopexy group (126 ± 10.2 min). Improvement in fecal incontinence was observed in 90.4% and 80% of patients, respectively. Improvement in constipation occurred in 66.6% of patients undergoing suture rectopexy compared with 50% in the mesh rectopexy group. Two cases of port-site infection occurred in the mesh rectopexy group. No recurrence was observed in either group during follow-up.
Conclusion:
Both laparoscopic suture rectopexy and mesh rectopexy provided satisfactory outcomes with no recurrence during follow-up. However, laparoscopic suture rectopexy demonstrated shorter operative time and better improvement in fecal incontinence and constipation.