1685 – Ventral rectopexy for the treatment of rectal prolapse and intussusception

New MBS item.

Ventral rectoplexy involves dissecting between the rectum (the last part of the large intestine) and vagina (or bladder, seminal vesicles and prostate in the rare occasions when the condition effects a man) and then suturing a strip shaped prostheses (synthetic mesh or biological graft) to the ventral surface (front portion) of the rectum and dorsal surface (back portion) of the vagina, and attaching the other end of the implant to the sacral promontory (the first vertebrae of the flat triangular shaped bone nested between the hip bones).

The procedure is very similar to, the gynaecological procedure for vaginal prolapse, Sacral Colpopexy. The prostheses then suspends the rectum and stops the rectum sliding out into and past the anal sphincter.

Type: Therapeutic technology

Rectal prolapse is a condition resulting from the rectum intussuscepting (sliding) past the anal sphincter such that the rectum slides through the anal opening. It causes pain, faecal incontinence, mucous discharge and bleeding. If the rectum intussuscepts into the anal canal but not past the sphincter (anal opening) this too can cause symptoms of faecal incontinence, pain, disordered evacuation and ulceration of the rectal mucosa.

• PASC consultation: Closed
• MSAC consultation: Closed Friday 7 October 2022

• PASC meeting: 9–10 December 2021
• ESC meeting: 6–7 October 2022
• MSAC meeting: 24–25 November 2022