Rectal prolapse in Honduras: case presentation and Review of Literature

Abstract

Background.Total rectal prolapse is the invagination of all layers of the rectum with external protrusion, commonly seen in children 6 month to five year of age, predisposed by different etiologies. Objective. To discuss the surgical procedure and underlying probable causes of a local case and review the literature on the subject. Case report: The patient was a 4 year old female with acute and chronic malnutrition, severe anemia, dysentery of unknown cause and duration and 52 Trichuris trichiura eggs in a 2 mg direct stool examination. On physical examination there was evident gross rectal prolapse. Surgical intervention was recommended due to poor response to conservative measures, consisting of manual reintroduction of prolapsed rectum and anal cerclage. The procedure was considered less risky for the patient and practical to implement. Conclusion. Surgery was uneventful, with complete recovery after one month observation. Malnutrition and severe anemia were reverting, with no parasitic re-infections observed during follow-up visit.