Clinical Trial: Laparoscopic Rectopexy for Rectal Prolapse

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Laparoscopic Posterior Rectopexy Without Mesh vs. Laparoscopic Anterior Mesh Rectopexy for Rectal Prolapse - a Prospective, Double-blind, Randomised Study

Brief Summary: The aim of the present prospective, double-blind, randomized study is to study whether laparoscopic anterior mesh rectopexy is as good as laparoscopic posterior rectopexy with respect to obstructive defecation afterwards.

Detailed Summary:

Full-thickness rectal prolapse is defined as a "falling down" of the rectum so that it is outside the body. Rectal prolapse can only be treated by surgery.

The choice of procedure depends on the patient's general condition and is based on a clinical judgment. Usually, elderly, high-risk patients are treated by perineal procedures. All other patients are offered an abdominal rectopexy using open or laparoscopic techniques. The general principle for all abdominal procedures is to induce adhesions between the mobilised, elevated rectum and the presacral fascia.

At least 30%-60% develop long-term complications: Obstructive defecation, which may be related to peroperative trauma to rectums innervation. Sparing of the lateral stalks during the rectal mobilisation results in lower frequency of obstructive defecation afterwards, but also higher recurrence rate.

A nerve-sparing laparoscopic technique for rectal prolapse has been developed in Belgium: Laparoscopic anterior mesh rectopexy.

After this procedure, the rate of obstructed defecations afterwards has been reported to less than 10%, that is, much lower than observed after other procedures.

The functional results after this nerve-sparing laparoscopic technique should be compared to those after laparoscopic posterior rectopexy, i.e. the conventional laparoscopic method.


Sponsor: Aarhus University Hospital

Current Primary Outcome: The severity of obstructive defecation as graded by Wexner's incontinence- and constipation-score and Obstructed Defecation Syndrome score [ Time Frame: 1 year postoperatively ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: Physiologic testing of the ano-rectum: Anorectal manometry,anal sensibility,anal ultrasound, colonic transit. [ Time Frame: 1 year postoperatively ]

Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Aarhus University Hospital

Dates:
Date Received: July 22, 2009
Date Started: September 2006
Date Completion:
Last Updated: July 8, 2015
Last Verified: July 2015