Abdominal Approaches for Rectal Prolapse

The management of full-thickness rectal prolapse involves surgical intervention in the majority of cases. Many procedures have been described employing both perineal and abdominal approaches. Abdominal procedures result in more durable repair of the prolapse; however, the procedures require general anesthesia and are reserved for younger healthier patients. Laparoscopy has been utilized in the treatment of rectal prolapse since its introduction for colorectal procedures; recent studies have found equivalent long-term results and short-term outcomes

Histologic analysis of the irradiated anal sphincter

There is accumulating evidence, both quantitative and qualitative, that pelvic irradiation adversely affects anorectal function. However, histologic evidence of sphincter injury has not been demonstrated. This study was designed to perform histologic assessment of collagen deposition and nerve alteration in the internal anal sphincters of rectal cancer patients who underwent abdominoperineal resection after adjuvant chemoradiation therapy and to correlate the degree of histologic changes with the time interval between chemoradiotherapy and abdominoperineal resection