Our Summary

This research paper discusses rectal prolapse in children, a medical condition that’s difficult to handle due to its varied causes, symptoms, and treatments. Medication and bowel management programs work well for most kids. However, some kids, especially older ones or those with mental health issues, might not respond well to these treatments. For such cases, local treatments using alcohol or phenol, hypertonic saline, dextrose, and Deflux can be effective. If these still don’t work, less invasive surgeries are an option. But, the most preferred treatment for stubborn cases is a procedure called transabdominal rectopexy. Another surgery, transabdominal rectopexy with sigmoidectomy, which is typically advised to adults with prolapse and constipation, is only recommended for kids if the prolapse comes back after surgery. Overall, while medication works great for most kids with rectal prolapse, most pediatric surgeons prefer sclerotherapy and transabdominal rectopexy for hard-to-treat cases.

FAQs

  1. What treatment options are available for children with rectal prolapse if medication and bowel management programs do not work?
  2. What is transabdominal rectopexy and when is it typically recommended for children with rectal prolapse?
  3. What is a sigmoidectomy and when might it be recommended for pediatric patients with rectal prolapse?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about sigmoidectomy is to follow post-operative care instructions carefully, including maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and avoiding heavy lifting or strenuous activities for a certain period of time. It is also important to attend follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider to monitor your recovery progress and address any concerns or complications that may arise.

Suitable For

In summary, sigmoidectomy is typically recommended for patients with rectal prolapse who have not responded well to medication and other less invasive treatments. This surgery is usually considered for adults with prolapse and constipation, but may also be recommended for children in certain cases. It is important for pediatric surgeons to carefully assess each individual case and consider all treatment options before recommending sigmoidectomy.

Timeline

-Before sigmoidectomy:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms of rectal prolapse, such as feeling a bulge or protrusion from the rectum.
  2. Patient undergoes various non-surgical treatments, such as medication and bowel management programs.
  3. If non-surgical treatments are unsuccessful, patient may undergo local treatments using alcohol or phenol, hypertonic saline, dextrose, or Deflux.
  4. If local treatments do not work, patient may be considered for less invasive surgeries.
  5. In stubborn cases, patient may be advised to undergo transabdominal rectopexy.

-After sigmoidectomy:

  1. Patient undergoes sigmoidectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a portion of the sigmoid colon.
  2. Recovery period post-surgery, which may include pain management, monitoring for complications, and dietary adjustments.
  3. Patient may experience changes in bowel habits and may need to adjust to a new normal.
  4. Follow-up appointments with healthcare providers to monitor recovery progress and address any concerns.
  5. Long-term management of symptoms and potential complications, such as ensuring proper bowel function and preventing recurrence of rectal prolapse.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is a sigmoidectomy and how does it relate to my condition?
  2. Why do you recommend a sigmoidectomy for my case?
  3. What are the potential risks and complications associated with a sigmoidectomy?
  4. What is the recovery process like after a sigmoidectomy?
  5. Are there any alternative treatments or procedures that could be effective for my condition?
  6. How successful is a sigmoidectomy in treating rectal prolapse in children?
  7. What is the long-term outlook for a child who undergoes a sigmoidectomy?
  8. How experienced are you in performing sigmoidectomies for pediatric patients?
  9. Are there any specific dietary or lifestyle changes I should make before or after the surgery?
  10. Are there any specific questions or concerns I should discuss with the pediatric surgeon before proceeding with a sigmoidectomy?

Reference

Authors: Moon JK, Stratigis JD, Lipskar AM. Journal: Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2025 Dec;27(1):6. doi: 10.1007/s11894-024-00953-5. Epub 2024 Nov 23. PMID: 39579172