Recovery time after rectal prolapse surgery: Rectal prolapse and perineal repair – Recovery

26.06.202310.06.2023 by alexxlab

Rectal Prolapse Surgery Recovery | Colorectal Surgeons Long Island, NY

BY DEAN PAPPAS M.D.

Following rectal prolapse, surgery may be needed to address the problem. The results of these surgical procedures are quite successful so long as patients follow our instructions for post-op care. This is why the entire team at Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists of New York take time explaining healing and recovery after women’s rectal prolapse surgery and men’s rectal prolapse repair.

Overall, recovery from prolapse repair will take about six weeks, though the exact time will depend on the nature and extent of your surgery. Below is a general overview of the recovery process and what you can expect. Our Garden City, NY team can discuss these matters with you in greater detail during the consultation process.

Taking Time Off from Work

Given the nature of the prolapse repair surgery, it’s imperative that patients take some time off from work. A few weeks may be necessary deepening on the nature of the patient’s job and the duties that are expected of them. This can be discussed during the consultation process. Upon returning to work, you may need to modify some of your duties or request reasonable accommodations from your employer as you are recovering, so please keep that in mind.

Common Side Effects After Surgery

Following prolapse repair surgery, common side effects may include:

Soreness
Swelling
Bruising
Minor bleeding

Your surgeon will be able to recommend pain killers and over-the-counter pain medications that can help minimize post-op discomfort. In addition, recommendations will be made regarding sleeping and sitting positions to help reduce soreness as you are healing.

Use of Stool Softeners

Following surgery, patients will be told to use stool softeners to help avoid excessive straining while moving their bowels. This helps aid in healing, and prevents re-injury of the rectum after it has been repaired. The use of stool softeners will also be essential for pain management in the first days of recovery.

Adjusting Your Diet to Aid in Recovery

In addition to using stool softeners, patients will also be asked to alter their diet to prevent constipation and straining when moving their bowels. Patients will typically start with a clear liquids diet, transitioning to soft foods and eventually solid foods over the course of a few weeks. High-fiber diets will be ideal during this healing period. Pay attention to all dietary recommendations made by your surgeon.

Drink Lots of Fluids

In order to help keep stools soft and prevent difficult bowel movements, it’s important that patients drink plenty of fluids and stay well hydrated as they recover. Stick to water and avoid sugary beverages, alcohol, and soft drinks. This is just good advice in general, and an important part of good tip for digestive health and overall wellness.

Avoid Heavy Lifting and Strenuous Activity

To prevent re-injury and other complications, patients should avoid heavy lifting and all sots of strenuous activity for a few weeks. This includes cardio, squatting, and bending at the waist. Your surgeon will be able to provide you with guidelines on when you can return to these activities.

Attend Follow-up Visits as Scheduled

Multiple follow-up visits with your surgeon will occur during the recovery process. This is to help monitor your healing and make sure that you do not suffer from any kinds of health problems while you are getting well. Be sure to attend all of these visits, and to contact your surgeon any time you have an urgent concern.

Learn More About Colorectal Surgery

For more information about recovering from colorectal surgery, be sure to contact our team of doctors and surgeons. Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists of New York is here to help. You can reach our primary Long Island office located in Garden City by phone at (516) 844-0248.

Rectal prolapse repair Information | Mount Sinai

Rectal prolapse surgery; Anal prolapse surgery

Rectal prolapse repair is surgery to fix a rectal prolapse. This is a condition in which the last part of the intestine (called the rectum) sticks out through the anus.

The rectum is the final portion of the large intestine. It empties stool from the body through the anus. The rectum is anchored in position by ligaments. When these ligaments weaken, the rectum can move out of its normal position, downward, and pass through the anus. This is called rectal prolapse.

Description

Rectal prolapse may be partial, involving only the inner lining of the bowel (mucosa). Or, it may be complete, involving the entire wall of the rectum.

For most adults, surgery is used to repair the rectum because there is no other effective treatment.

Children with rectal prolapse do not always need surgery, unless their prolapse does not improve over time. In infants, prolapse often disappears without treatment.

Most surgical procedures for rectal prolapse are done under general anesthesia. For older or sicker people, epidural or spinal anesthesia may be used.

There are three basic types of surgery to repair rectal prolapse. Your surgeon will decide which one is best for you.

For healthy adults, an abdominal procedure has the best chance of success. While you are under general anesthesia, the doctor makes a surgical cut in the abdomen and removes a portion of the colon. The rectum may be attached (sutured) to the surrounding tissue so it will not slide and fall out through the anus. Sometimes, a soft piece of mesh is wrapped around the rectum to help it stay in place. These procedures can also be done with laparoscopic surgery (also known as keyhole or telescopic surgery).

For older adults or those with other medical problems, an approach through the anus (perineal approach) might be less risky. It might also cause less pain and lead to a shorter recovery. But with this approach, the prolapse is more likely to come back (recur).

One of the surgical repairs through the anus involves removing the prolapsed rectum and colon and then suturing the rectum to the surrounding tissues. This procedure can be done under general, epidural, or spinal anesthesia.

Very frail or sick people may need a smaller procedure that reinforces the sphincter muscles. This technique encircles the muscles with a band of soft mesh or a silicone tube. This approach provides only short-term improvement and is rarely used.

Risks

Risks of anesthesia and surgery in general include:

Reactions to medicines
Breathing problems
Bleeding, blood clots, infection

Risks of this surgery include:

Infection. If a piece of rectum or colon is removed, the bowel needs to be reconnected. In rare cases, this connection can leak, causing infection. More procedures may be needed to treat the infection.
Constipation is very common, although most people have constipation before the surgery.
In some people, incontinence (loss of bowel control) can get worse.
Return of prolapse after abdominal or perineal surgery.

Before the Procedure

During the 2 weeks before your surgery:

You may be asked to stop taking medicines that make it harder for your blood to clot. Some of these are aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), vitamin E, warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), ticlopidine (Ticlid), and apixaban (Eliquis).
Ask your health care provider which medicines you should still take on the day of your surgery.
If you smoke, try to stop. Ask your provider for help.
Be sure to tell your surgeon if you get sick before your surgery. This includes a cold, flu, herpes flare-up, urinary problems, or any other illness.

The day before your surgery:

Eat a light breakfast and lunch.
You may be told to drink only clear liquids such as broth, clear juice, and water in the afternoon.
Follow instructions about when to stop eating or drinking.
You may be told to use enemas or laxatives to clear out your intestines. If so, follow those instructions exactly.

On the day of your surgery:

Take any medicines that your provider told you to take with a small sip of water.
Be sure to arrive at the hospital on time.

After the Procedure

How long you stay in the hospital depends on the procedure. For open abdominal procedures it may be 5 to 8 days. You will go home sooner if you had laparoscopic surgery. The stay for perineal surgery may be 2 to 3 days.

You should make a complete recovery in 4 to 6 weeks.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The surgery usually works well at repairing the prolapse. Constipation and incontinence can be problems for some people.

Galandiuk S, Netz U, Morpurgo E, et al. Colon and rectum. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 52.

Russ AJ, Delaney CP. Rectal prolapse. In: Fazio the Late VW, Church JM, Delaney CP, Kiran RP, eds. Current Therapy in Colon and Rectal Surgery. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 22.

Last reviewed on: 2/28/2022

Reviewed by: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, General Surgery Practice Specializing in Breast Cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Delorme operation for rectal prolapse

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Delorme operation is a surgical intervention that effectively eliminates rectal prolapse. It is characterized by minimal invasiveness, therefore it is considered the most physiological and safe approach.

Indications Contraindications Preparation
Progress of the operation Recovery Forecasts

After the intervention, the intestines retain their functions, and the person does not experience any restrictions in the future.
Surgeons-proctologists of SM-Clinic successfully carry out such operations and help patients solve the problem once and for all.

Readings

The operation is prescribed for the development of rectal prolapse, when all layers of the rectum come out through the anus.
Sometimes the prolapse occurs in one moment, but more often it is formed gradually as a result of regular lifting.
burden or after multiple births in women.

With such a pathology, conservative treatment is ineffective, so the only way out is an operation that will restore
functions of the large intestine and completely eliminate the prolapse.

Contraindications

The Delorme operation is safe, so it is prescribed even for elderly patients with severe concomitant diseases. Allocate
only general contraindications that apply to any proctological surgery:

the presence of inflammatory processes in the anus;
exacerbation of chronic pathologies;
blood clotting disorders.

Preparation

In preparation for surgery, the surgeon examines the clinical case in detail and examines the patient.
It is necessary to study the structure of the pelvis, the position of the internal organs, assess the severity of prolapse and other parameters,
which determine the features of the further operation.

To create a complete picture and identify contraindications, the doctor prescribes:

endoscopic examinations – sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy;
contrast radiography of the intestine;
defecography or proctography;
magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvic organs;
blood and urine tests.

The patient also needs to consult a general practitioner, anesthetist, women should see a gynecologist.
Preparation on the eve of the operation includes a special diet and a complete bowel cleansing.

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Operation procedure

The patient is put under general anesthesia before the operation. After that, the surgeon performs the intervention using one of two
technician:

Access through the rectum. The doctor excised part of the prolapsed mucous membrane, and the muscles are collected on
surgical thread and fixes in front of the sphincter. This additional muscle layer strengthens the sphincter and
minimizes the possibility of relapse. This method is more often used in the treatment of elderly patients who may
Eliminate physical activity from your life.
Perineal access. The surgeon also removes the mucosa, while the muscle layer is sutured to
synthetic mesh. The implant is fixed on the periosteum of the first sacral vertebra. The operation is suitable for
young patients, as it allows them to continue to lead an active life, play sports.

Rehabilitation

The postoperative period of inpatient therapy is about 5-7 days. Care is reduced to dressings, reception
antibiotics and painkillers. Features of care depend on age, comorbidities. Complications
develop quite rarely and may include inflammation, bleeding, constipation, urinary retention.

If there are no complications, after a week, you can continue to recover at home. The attending physician provides individual
recommendations for care and nutrition.

Forecasts

The operation allows you to get good prognosis even in complex medical cases. After full recovery
patients do not experience discomfort and do not have to adhere to any restrictive measures. Probability of relapse
with this method of treatment, prolapse is 10-15%.

Specialists in this field 21 doctors

Leading doctors 6 doctors

Marina B. Petrushina

Surgeon, proctologist

Work experience: 42 years Ramyan David Surenovich

Surgeon, coloproctologist, oncologist, mammologist

Work experience: 13 years

Malaya Balkanskaya, 23

m. 17 years old

Dybenko, 13k4

m. 15 years old

Dunaisky, 47

Dunayskaya metro station 20

Leninsky Prospect metro station

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Shishkin Andrey Andreyevich

Surgeon, phlebologist, proctologist. Candidate of Medical Sciences

Work experience: 13 years

Danaisky, 47

Dunayskaya metro station

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Maslennikov Dmitry Yurievich

Surgeon, proctologist, mammologist

Work experience: 16 years

90 002 Udarnikov, 19

Ladozhskaya metro station

Dybenko, 13k4

m. Dybenko street

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Other doctors 15 doctors

Ardashov Pavel Sergeevich

Coloproctologist-surgeon

Work experience: 9 years

Udarnikov, 19

Ladozhskaya metro station

Dybenko, 13k4

Dybenko street metro

Make an appointment 90 003
Bulkina Maria Sergeevna

Coloproctologist, surgeon

Work experience: 11 years specter of Enlightenment

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Grinevich Vladimir Stanislavovich

Surgeon, oncologist, mammologist, coloproctologist

Work experience: 27 years

Vyborgskoe shosse, 17

m.
Klyuev Andrey Nikolaevich

Operating proctologist

Work experience: 16 years

Malaya Balkanskaya, 23

Kupchino metro station

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Nekrasov Roman Alexandrovich

Coloproctologist and surgeon

Work experience: 8 years

Udarnikov, 19

Ladozhskaya metro station

Marshala Zakharov, 20

Leninskiy avenue metro station

Make an appointment 9000 3
Petrova Vitalina Vasilievna

Operating proctologist

Work experience: 12 years

Vyborgskoye shosse, 17

metro Prosveshcheniya

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Senko Vladimir Vladimirovich

Head of the Center for Surgery and Oncology

Work experience: 23 years

Dunaisky, 47

Dunayskaya metro station

Marshala Zakharov, 20

Leninskiy avenue metro station

Vyborgskoye highway, 17 9 0003

m. Prosveshcheniya

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Sinyagina (Nazarova) Maria Andreevna

Surgeon, proctologist

Work experience: 8 years

Marshala Zakharova, 20

Leninsky Prospect metro station

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900 92
Sokolova Anna Sergeevna

Coloproctologist, surgeon. Candidate of Medical Sciences.

Work experience: 13 years

Malaya Balkanskaya, 23

Kupchino metro station

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Sol Anton Alexandrovich

Work experience: 15 years

Vyborgskoe shosse, 17

metro Prosveshcheniya

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Fomenko Nikolai Aleksandrovich

Surgeon, proctologist, oncologist

Work experience: 15 years

Marshala Zakharov, 20

Leninsky Prospect metro station

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Khangireev Alexander Bakhytovich

Surgeon, oncologist, coloproctologist

Work experience: 13 years

Udarnikov, 19

002 Dunayskaya metro station

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Khokhlov Sergey Viktorovich

Surgeon, oncologist, coloproctologist

Work experience: 28 years

Vyborgskoe highway, 17

metro Prosveshcheniya

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Chuprina Susanna Vladimirovna

Coloproctologist of the highest category

Work experience: 22 years

Udarnikov, 19

Ladozhskaya metro station

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Yalda Ksenia Davidovna

Coloproctologist

Work experience: 11 years

Malaya Balkanskaya, 23

m. 0003

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