OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and efficacy of the perineal rectosigmoidectomy (Altemeier procedure) in the treatment of full thickness rectal prolapse.

METHODSClinical and follow-up data of 52 patients with full thickness rectal prolapse undergoing Altemeier procedure in 9 hospitals from September 2010 to July 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. Of which 38 cases were from Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 1 case from Suizhou Central Hospital of Hubei province, 1 case from Jingzhou Second People's Hospital of Hubei province, 3 cases from Wuxue First People's Hospital of Hubei province, 1 case from Jingmen First People's Hospital of Hubei province, 1 case from Tuanfeng County Hospital of Hubei province, 4 cases from Jingzhou Central Hospital of Hubei province, 2 from PLA Rocket Army General Hospital, 1 case from the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University in Jiangsu province. Altemeier operation steps: The line shaped teeth, the prolapsed rectum is first exposed to the anus. In the dentate line proximal 1-3 cm with ultrasonic knife or Ligasure ring outer rectal incision, using electric knife to mark pre resection line in rectal mucosa. Open down in front of the pelvic peritoneum. Incision of the outer intestine and the reduction of the internal rectum and part of sigmoid colon. To free and remove excess pelvic retroperitoneal, pelvic peritoneum and be at the top of the colon or rectum anterior pelvic reconstruction suture. The rear of the levator ani muscle forming rectum. Pull gently to the anus and rectum and sigmoid, in the absence of tension, 2-3 cm outside the anus was selected as the proximal inner bowel pre resection line, along the line of pre transection of proximal bowel resection, again the broken end of intestine full-thickness end-to-end anastomosis. Postoperative complication and recurrence were summarized. Gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI), Wexner constipation score and Wexner fecal incontinence score were used to evaluate the efficacy.

RESULTSAll the 52 patients were beyond moderate full thickness rectal prolapse. Thirty-one were male and 21 were female with age ranging from 22 to 83 (average 53) years. The length of prolapsed rectum was 6 to 20 (average 9) cm and course of disease was 0.5 to 46(average 19.5) years. No perioperative death. Five patients (9.6%) had postoperative complications, including 2 anastomotic bleeding, 1 wall portion dehiscence of anastomosis, 1 anastomotic stenosis, and 1 malnutrition. Recurrence rate was 9.6%(5/52) within the long-term follow-up of 5 to 71 (median 40) years. Compared with the preoperative results, Wexner constipation score and Wexner fecal incontinence score decreased obviously (2.1±1.4 vs. 4.6±3.4, 4.8±4.1 vs. 6.8±4.1), and GIQLI significantly increased from 99.6±8.0 to 103.0±9.1 (all P<0.05) at 6-month after operation. Above 3 scores were sustained and continuously improved at 12-, 24-, and 36-month during the follow-up (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAltemeier procedure possesses good efficacy with low morbidity of complication and recurrence in the treatment of full thickness rectal prolapse.