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Rectopexy in the sacral hollow or to the promontory with synthetic material is the most efficient method of reducing and fixing a complete rectal prolapse. However, this distressing condition occurs frequently in elderly patients, often with high operative risk. In these some surgeons have advocated a perineal approach. Eighteen female patients (mean age 74 years) with complete rectal prolapse have been treated by a modified Delorme's procedure which involves a mucosal stripping of the prolapse and longitudinal plication of the muscular wall of the rectum. There was no postoperative mortality or morbidity. After a mean follow-up of 18 months, two complete recurrences occurred. These were treated by the same technique with a good result at 3 years. One other patient presented a partial and intermittent recurrence. Incontinence has improved in four patients and was not made worse in the others. Our results and those previously published show that this procedure is safe in elderly high risk patients considered too unfit for transabdominal surgery.

To evaluate the effects of povidone-iodine (PI) enema on the bacterial flora of colorectal mucosa, the authors studied 113 patients who were candidates for colorectal surgery. The study of the rectum included 72 patients. Total bacterial concentrations after a PI enema (N = 44) were significantly lower than after a simple water enema (N = 12, P less than 0.001), or than after a water enema associated with intravenous metronidazole (N = 16, P less than 0.01). The study of the colon included 41 patients. Total bacterial concentrations did not differ after a PI enema (N = 24) than after a water enema (N = 11); both groups were associated with intravenous metronidazole. In contrast, both preparations significantly reduced bacterial concentrations when compared with oral administration of polyethyleneglycol (N = 6, P less than 0.01). Similar results were observed in rectal and colonic studies, when analysis was restricted to the anaerobic flora. PI is an antiseptic that, when administered alone in an enema or in association with metronidazole, significantly reduces bacterial concentrations in the mucosa of the colon and rectum. It may be proposed as a simple preoperative preparation for colorectal surgery.

We report 6 cases of rectal angiodysplasia. 2 patients were treated successfully laser coagulation.