Should an 86 year old woman with rectal prolapse have another surgery after one year. are there other ways? she had one wire surgically put across her anus to keep her rectum from falling out one year ago, the dr, wants to do it again. is there another

Dr. : Dr. Lydon hit all the major points. Bottom line find a surgeon who specializes in colon and rectal surgery (a good one).

A : A patient who can not have a major abdominal surgery is likely best served with an altmeier ( perineal proctectomy) or delorme procedure (muscosal rectopexy), especially in this condition where there is now an eroding foreign object present that should be removed. Not only does she need a colorectal surgeon, she needs one who performs these procedures, because there are some colorectal surgeons who do not. Your location is pa, and there is a fellowship program in philadelphia, i bet there is someone there who can help her.

This : This is a complicated problem. Treatment of rectal prolapse with a wire is outdated. An altemeier procedure (perineal rectosigmoidectomy) is usually the procedure of choice. Previous mesh placed in the pelvis, however, will make this procedure next to impossible. If the problem is as bad as it sounds, a low anterior resection with rectopexy will be the best choice. It should be done by an experience colorectal surgeon. Find a new surgeon fast.