Linear cauterization for the treatment of rectal prolapse in infants and children.

Rectal prolapse in pediatric patients has different anatomic causative and, hence, therapeutic significance from prolapse or procidentia encountered in adults. Medical management successfully relieves prolapse in a large percentage of pediatric patients. Seventy-three patients in whom the correction of rectal prolapse by medical management failed underwent linear cauterization of the anorectum. Seventy-one were treated successfully. Five children had an additional cauterization for the permanent relief of rectal prolapse. One patient required an additional extensive operation to prevent recurrence. This successful method of managing rectal prolapse has been associated with a low morbidity rate and should be considered before attempting more complex alternative surgical procedures.