Outcome of submucosal injection of different sclerosing materials for rectal prolapse in children.

Parasitic infestations, mainly enterobiasis and amoebiasis, and poor toilet training practices are commonly associated with rectal prolapse in developing countries. Injection sclerotherapy is one of the commonly used modalities for treating partial rectal prolapse in children. Various materials are available for such injection, but each has its advantages and complications. Comparing different materials used in the treatment of such pathology form the basis of this study trying to define the best material with the least complications. Data records of 130 children with partial rectal prolapse referred to the Department of Pediatric Surgery at Al Galaa Teaching Hospital, Cairo, over a 3-year period were analyzed. Their ages ranged from 6 months to 12 years (mean 6.14 years +/-3.4). Forty-five patients (3 5%) responded to conservative treatment, and 85 patients (65%) required injection sclerotherapy and were divided into three groups: Group 1 (35 patients) was injected with 98% ethyl alcohol, group 2 (22 patients) was injected with phenol in almond oil 5%, and group 3 (28 patients) was injected with Deflux (Q-Med, Uppsala, Sweden). The follow-up period ranged from 2 months to 3 years; clinical data and all complications were recorded. Submucosal injection of the three sclerosing materials showed no mortality in this series, but in group 1, seven had recurrence on short-term follow-up that required reinjection, and long-term follow-up in this group showed a recurrence rate of 11% (four patients), plus two patients had mucosal sloughing and one girl developed a rectovaginal fistula. Group 2 showed abscess formation and mucosal sloughing in four patients (18%), and two developed perianal fistula. Group 3 showed immediate postoperative prolapse in two cases that ameliorated spontaneously. No patients had mucosal ulceration or abscess formation, and long-term follow-up showed no recurrence. Deflux had the lowest complication rate with no recurrence on long-term follow-up. Phenol in almond oil 5% injection should not be used for treating such conditions because of its high complication rate. Alcohol is commercially cheap and available and should be considered an alternative for Deflux.