Outcomes following sclerotherapy for mucosal rectal prolapse with oily phenol injection: single-centre review.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To review the outcomes of injection sclerotherapy with oily phenol for mucosal rectal prolapse.

METHODS: Retrospective case note review of all children who underwent sclerotherapy with oily phenol injection as primary surgical intervention for mucosal rectal prolapse, from January 2007 to December 2015.

MAIN RESULTS: A total of 31 patients were identified. Mean age at presentation was 4.8 years (range 5 months-12 years). 23 patients with mucosal rectal prolapse underwent injection sclerotherapy with oily phenol as primary procedure. Patients with full-thickness rectal prolapse (n = 6) and 2 with mucosal prolapse who had Thiersch stitch were excluded from the study. The cause for mucosal rectal prolapse was considered to be due to constipation (n = 15), idiopathic (n = 7), spina bifida (n = 1). Follow-up was for minimum 6 months (median = 4 years; range 6 months-17 years). Recurrence following injection sclerotherapy with oily phenol requiring further procedures was 30.4% (7/23).

CONCLUSIONS: Injection sclerotherapy with oily phenol is a safe, effective and minimally invasive primary treatment option for mucosal rectal prolapse not responding to conservative management. In case of recurrence, a cautious re-examination under anaesthesia should be undertaken to exclude a missed full-thickness rectal prolapse before reinjecting.