Surgical treatment of the rectal prolapse in children: A review

Abstract

Rectal prolapse, defined as protrusion of the rectal mucosa from the anus, usually responds to conservative treatment in the first 4 years of life. In rectal prolapses that cannot be treated conservatively, the prolapse will turn into a chronic process unless the causes are eliminated. Rectal prolapse is usually a chronic condition in children over the age of four. This article aims to review the surgical treatment of rectal prolapse in children who do not respond to conservative treatment or with recurrent rectal prolapse.