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Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026)

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October 23, 2026
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October 24, 2026

Copyright (c) 2026 Khaled Hassan Alanazi, Tasneem Hejje Alkhaibari, Nawal Mubarak Alkhudran, Afrah Farhan Alanazi, Muhammad Ahmad Sharahili, Wejdan Salem Almutairi, Abdulaziz Qaed Mukatil Alruwaili, Darwish Mohammed Baal Gayth Almaghrabi, Waheid Hadi M. Abuhadash

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Multidisciplinary Management of Complete Rectal Prolapse: Surgical Approaches, Laboratory Assessment, Nursing Care, and Postoperative Outcomes

https://doi.org/10.64483/202631810
Khaled Hassan Alanazi
Iradah Mental Health Complex, Riyadh, Ministry of health, Saudi Arabia
Tasneem Hejje Alkhaibari
General Administration of Prison Health, General Administration of Medical Services, Ministry of Interior, Saudi Arabia
Nawal Mubarak Alkhudran
Kood Asafyah Primary Health Care Center, Ministry of health, Saudi Arabia
Afrah Farhan Alanazi
Madinah, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Muhammad Ahmad Sharahili
Jazan Specialist Hospital, Ministry of health, Saudi Arabia
Wejdan Salem Almutairi
Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Ministry of Interior, Saudi Arabia
Abdulaziz Qaed Mukatil Alruwaili
King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital, Sakaka, Al Jouf Health Cluster, Ministry of health, Saudi Arabia
Darwish Mohammed Baal Gayth Almaghrabi
Dammam Prison Health Center, General Administration of Prison Health, Ministry of Interior, Saudi Arabia
Waheid Hadi M. Abuhadash
Jazan Health Cluster, Ministry of health, Saudi Arabia

Corresponding Author(s) : Khaled Hassan Alanazi

mmkzo00025@gmail.com

Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026)

Abstract

Background: Complete rectal prolapse is a debilitating condition characterized by protrusion of the entire rectal wall through the anus. It can cause constipation, fecal incontinence, rectal bleeding, mucus discharge, and impaired quality of life. Although surgery is the primary treatment, recurrence and postoperative complications remain important clinical challenges.


Aim: This review aims to summarize the principal surgical approaches for complete rectal prolapse, highlighting their indications, operative principles, advantages, limitations, outcomes, and complications.


Methods: A narrative review of the available literature was undertaken, focusing on abdominal and perineal surgical techniques for complete rectal prolapse. The reviewed approaches included suture rectopexy, ventral mesh rectopexy, Wells rectopexy, Ripstein rectopexy, Mikulicz’s procedure, Delorme’s procedure, Altemeier’s procedure, perineal stapled prolapse resection, and Thiersch’s operation. Evidence concerning recurrence, postoperative complications, and the role of minimally invasive surgery was also considered.


Results: Abdominal procedures generally demonstrate lower recurrence rates in selected patients who can tolerate major surgery, while perineal procedures remain valuable for older, frail, and high-risk individuals. Mesh rectopexy may provide durable anatomical support but carries risks of mesh-related complications. Delorme’s and Altemeier’s procedures offer alternatives for selected patients, although recurrence and postoperative morbidity vary. Comparative studies have not consistently established the superiority of one procedure over another. Laparoscopic rectopexy has gained popularity because of its minimally invasive nature and favorable recovery outcomes, whereas robotic surgery remains limited by cost and availability.


Conclusion: Surgical management should be individualized according to prolapse severity, bowel function, comorbidities, patient preferences, and surgical expertise. Further comparative research is needed to establish optimal treatment strategies.


 


 

Keywords

Complete rectal prolapse; rectopexy; perineal surgery; abdominal surgery; recurrence; laparoscopic surgery.
Alanazi, K. H., Alkhaibari, T. H., Alkhudran, N. M., Alanazi, A. F., Sharahili, M. A., Almutairi, W. S., … Abuhadash, W. H. M. (2026). Multidisciplinary Management of Complete Rectal Prolapse: Surgical Approaches, Laboratory Assessment, Nursing Care, and Postoperative Outcomes. Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 3(1), 205–216. https://doi.org/10.64483/202631810
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