Altemeier perineal rectosigmoidectomy with indocyanine green fluorescence imaging for a female adolescent with complete rectal prolapse: A case report

BACKGROUND: Rectal prolapse in young women is rare. Although laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy is the standard procedure because of its lower recurrence rate, postoperative infertility is a concern. Perineal rectosigmoidectomy (Altemeier procedure) is useful for these patients. However, the risk of anastomotic leakage should be considered. Recently, the usefulness of fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green (ICG) to prevent anastomotic leakage was reported. We report a case of an adolescent woman with complete rectal prolapse who underwent ICG fluorescence imaging-assisted Altemeier rectosigmoidectomy. CASE SUMMARY: A 17-year-old woman who had a mental disorder was admitted to our hospital for treatment for water intoxication. The patient also suffered from rectal prolapse, approximately 3 mo before admission. She was referred to our surgical department because recurrent rectal prolapse could worsen her psychiatric disorder. Approximately 10 cm of complete rectal prolapse was observed. However, the mean maximum anal resting and constriction pressures were within normal limits on anorectal manometry. Because she had the desire to bear children in the future, she underwent Altemeier perineal rectosigmoidectomy to prevent surgery-related infertility. We performed ICG fluorescence imaging at the same time as surgery to reduce the risk of anastomotic leakage. Her postoperative course was uneventful, and the rectal prolapse was completely resolved. She continued to do well 18 mo after surgery, without recurrence of the rectal prolapse. CONCLUSION: ICG fluorescence imaging-assisted Altemeier perineal rectosigmoidectomy is useful in preventing postoperative anastomotic leakage in young as well as elderly patients.