Perineal Rectosigmoidectomy Associated with Low Colorectal Anastomosis for Complete Rectal Prolapse Correction – Altemeier’s Procedure

Introduction: Rectal prolapse constitutes in rectal protrusion through anal orifice. It’s more frequent in elderly women and the correction is exclusively surgical and fundamental, given the condition’s social relevance. We intend to describe a perineal rectosigmoidectomy (Altemeier) for correction of prolapse in multi-morbidity elder patient.

Case Report: Female patient, 78 years old, evaluated by proctology ward of CHSBC. She Came in with complaint of anal region bulge for past 2 years. Proctological examination showed 15 cm rectal procidentia Rectal prolapse’s diagnosis came from colonoscopy. A perineal rectosigmoidectomy associated with colorectal anastomosis was done (Altemeier’s Procedure). There was appropriate postoperative evolution, discharge with good wound healing and ambulatorial follow up with good general healing.

Discussion: Rectal prolapse is a result of anatomical alterations due to factors such as age and multiparity. Clinical presentation: abdominal discomfort, constipation, feces and gases release. It leads to life quality loss, thus surgical interventions become essential. Corrective surgeries seek to give back fecal continence. Currently, procedures branch out into abdominal and perineal. Altemeier consists in complete rectal removal via perineum. It’s appropriate for high surgical risk elders, since it has the lowest complications rate.