The treatment of complete prolapse of the rectum by rectosigmoidectomy (auffret-mikulicz-miles procedure)

Abstract

Summary The author's experience in treating 145 patients with major prolapse of the rectum by rectosigmoidectomy is presented. This operation is considered to be safe and effective, particularly in that it can be performed for patients of advanced age. In this series 18 were 80 years old or more. The surgical technic is described. It is shown to vary according to whether the length of bowel to be removed is long or short. Cohn's method of approximating the margins of the puborectalis muscles from below is considered to be a very useful addition; it has been used in 70 women without complications. Fine braided stainless-steel wire sutures were employed. The operative mortality rate was less than 1.5 per cent. The results are analyzed and the importance of regular follow up examination is emphasized.