A modified Thiersch operation in treatment of complete rectal prolapse

Treatment of rectal prolapse by sphincteric support using silastic rods

The use of silastic perianal rings to control rectal prolapse in the elderly has been reviewed. Forty-one patients were treated over a 6 year period by a total of 52 operations. Their mean age was 80 years and there was no operative mortality. Prolapse was adequately controlled in 71 per cent of patients, and a further three patients had no recurrence despite failure and removal of the ring. The results of this procedure are inferior to those obtained by abdominal operations for rectal prolapse, but deserve serious consideration in those elderly patients who may be unfit for laparotomy.

Thiersch's Operation1

In the past 21 years Thiersch's operation has been revived and has earned a small but definite place among the operations now in use.

SUMMARY

Thirsch's operation is the least disturbing procedure available for the treatment of complete rectal prolapse, and may be carried out no matter how poor the general condition of the patient. Despite the results in this series of 32 cases, it is my belief that Thiersch's operation (using a wide ring of braided stainless steel wire placed deeply in the perianal tissues) deserves a place in at least the poor-risk case with a small but complete rectal prolapse.