Strangled rectal prolapse in young adults: A case report

BACKGROUND: Rectal prolapse (RP) is an uncommon perineal disease. It is defined as a complete protrusion or intussusception of the rectum through the anus. Strangulation of the RP is rare. This complication presents requires an emergent surgery. This case presentation aims to report the therapeutic management and results of this condition. OBSERVATION: A 29-year-old men, who consulted for a sudden, painful, irreducible rectal prolapse. At the anus, there was an irreducible, edematous, without signs of ischemia or necrosis rectal prolapse measuring 25*10 cm wide. The laboratory data showed a high white blood cell count and elevated C-reactive protein. After a failure of external manual reduction under general anesthesia, the patient underwent emergent surgery. The procedure consisted of a rectosigmoidectomy with coloanal anastomosis using a perineal approach according to the Altemeier technique associated to a diverting ileostomy. The postoperative follow-up was uneventful. The patient was discharged at post-operative day five. CONCLUSION: Strangulated RP is a rare complication. Altemeier procedure remains the intervention of choice in this situation.