Characterization of patients with rectal procidentia operated using the Lomas-Cooperman technique.

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The Lomas-Cooperman technique is an effective surgical option for elderly patients with rectal procidentia. Objectives: To characterize patients with rectal procidentia who underwent surgery using the Lomas-Cooperman technique. To identify the risk factors associated with rectal procidentia in the study patients. To describe the main associated diseases and determine the main postoperative complications. Method: A descriptive, longitudinal, and prospective study was conducted including 25 patients. The key study variables were age, sex, obstetric history, bowel habits, surgical and pathological history, and complications. Descriptive statistical methods were applied (absolute and relative frequencies, mean). Results: The patients had a mean age of 73 years, 96% were female, 100% multiparous, 48% had anal incontinence, 68% had a surgical history, 76% had a pathological history, 24% had an operative site infection, 16% had recurrence and 12% had rejection of surgical material. Conclusions: Female sex, age over 60 years, multiparity, bowel habit disorders and a history of pelvic floor surgery were factors associated with rectal procidentia; the main associated diseases were high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and mental illness, although the latter was not usually associated with rectal procidentia. Surgical site infection, recurrence and rejection of surgical material were the main complications in the patients included in the study and are consistent with similar series.