Surgical treatment of rectal prolapse: Transabdominal procedures

Surgery for rectal prolapse via a transabdominal approach can be performed by numerous surgical techniques. Due to the poor evidence level of the existing studies no definite recommendations can be given. The only conclusions which can be drawn are: 1. rectopexy can be performed laparoscopically with a low complication rate and the same results concerning function and morbidity as with open rectopexy and shows the normal advantages of laparoscopic surgery (cosmetics, adhesions, pain and length of hospital stay), 2. resection rectopexy and ventral rectopexy seem to prevent constipation and de novo constipation in a higher proportion of patients and 3. robotic-assisted rectopexy is feasible but until now has shown no advantages compared to conventional laparoscopic rectopexy. © 2018, Urban und Vogel GmbH. All rights reserved.