Systematic literature review and meta-analysis of surgical treatment of complete rectal prolapse in male patients

Background Rectal prolapse often affects women but may also affect men. This systematic review aimed to provide outcomes of surgery for complete rectal prolapse reported in studies with a predominantly male population. Methods This PRISMA-compliant systematic literature review searched PubMed and Scopus between January 2000 and February 2024; Google Scholar was queried for studies reporting outcomes of complete rectal prolapse surgery in predominately (> 90%) male populations. Main outcome measures were recurrence, complications, operative time, and bowel function. Results Eight studies (452 patients; median age 45.6 years) were included; 80.5% of patients underwent abdominal procedures whereas 19.5% underwent perineal procedures. The prevalence of recurrence was 11.2% after ventral mesh rectopexy (VMR), 0.8% after posterior mesh rectopexy (PMR), 0 after resection rectopexy, and 19.3% after perineal procedures. The prevalence of complications was 13.9% after VMR, 13.1% after PMR, 43.3% after resection rectopexy, and 17.4% after perineal procedures. The most improvement in constipation was noted after resection rectopexy (83.3-100%) and in fecal incontinence (FI) was noted after posterior mesh rectopexy (86.4-90%). Abdominal procedures had lower rates of recurrence (6% vs. 19.3%, RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.21-1.18, p = 0.113), similar complication rates (14.3% vs. 13.6%, RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.06-2.9, p = 0.374), and longer operative times (116 +/- 47.2 vs. 74.2 +/- 23.6 min, p < 0.001). Conclusions Treatment of rectal prolapse in male patients undergoing abdominal procedures was associated with longer operative times, lower recurrence rates, and similar complications to perineal procedures. PMR and resection rectopexy had the lowest recurrence. The most improvement in FI and constipation was noted after PMR and resection rectopexy, respectively.