ABSTRACT
The etiology of rectal prolapse is obscure, although it has been associated with constipation, spinal injuries, injury of the pelvic floor muscles, some neurologic diseases, loose rectosacral fixation, psychiatric diseases, female sex, and nulliparity. Rectal prolapse and fecal incontinence are frequently associated with each other. The pathophysiologic mechanism of fecal incontinence with rectal prolapse is weak anal sphincters and pelvic floor muscles. Anorectal angle has shown to be straightened in patients with rectal prolapse and fecal incontinence; this phenomenon is associated with a weak puborectal muscle. There are numerous operations for the treatment of rectal prolapse, with two main operative approaches that aim at anatomic correction of the rectal prolapse: perineal or abdominal operations. Rectopexy, with or without added sigmoid resection, has gained popularity due to a low recurrence rate. Abdominal rectopexy is effective in reversing the prolapse itself, but the functional results are not uniform.
