Rectal Prolapse in the Pediatric Population

Rectal prolapse in the pediatric population presents a clinical challenge with wide variability in etiology, presentation, work-up and management. In this article, we reviewed the evidence supporting various medical and surgical treatment options as well as the recent trends amongst pediatric surgeons.

Medical therapy is highly effective in most patients, with bowel management programs being particularly successful. Nonetheless, medically refractory disease, often seen in older children and in children with behavioral/psychiatric disorders, can be challenging. Sclerotherapy with ethanol or 5% phenol can be effective local treatments. 15% hypertonic saline, 50% dextrose, and Deflux are additional safe alternatives. Perianal procedures and perineal procedures are less invasive surgical options, but transabdominal rectopexy appears to be the favored treatment for disease refractory to local treatment. Transabdominal rectopexy with sigmoidectomy, the recommended operation in the adult population for patients with prolapse and constipation, appears only to be preferred in the pediatric population for postoperative recurrences.

While outcomes of medical treatment for pediatric rectal prolapse are excellent, sclerotherapy and transabdominal rectopexy are effective options for refractory disease preferred by most pediatric surgeons.