Of the Group I patients, three had preoperative chronic diarrhea, one had proximal internal rectal prolapse with rectosacral separation at defecography, and the other two were incontinent to liquid stool. An additional patient had incontinence to liquid stool but no diarrhea. Three other patients had major perineal descent (>9 cm). Results were Grade 1 for one patient, Grade 2 for one patient, Grade 3 for five patients, and Grade 4 for one patient (subsequent abdominal rectopexy). Data review showed that proximal internal prolapse with rectosacral separation at defecography, preoperative chronic diarrhea, fecal incontinence, and descending perineum (>9 cm on straining) were associated with a poorer outcome (Grades 3 and 4). These adverse criteria were used to exclude patients from selection into Group II. In this group results were Grade 1 for seven patients and Grade 2 for four patients. During the course of follow-up (mean, 43; standard deviation, 19; range, 8-73 months), outcome was better in Group II (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION. These data suggest that a favorable outcome can be achieved after Delorme's transrectal excision for internal rectal prolapse by applying stringent patient-selection criteria.

These retrospective data suggest for the first time in the reported literature that hand-sewn colonic anastomosis to the proximal rectum provides a better short-term functional outcome than stapled anastomosis following elective resectional surgery for complicated sigmoid diverticulosis.

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Objective The aim of this retrospective non-randomized study was to evaluate the short-term functional outcome following elective resectional surgery for complicated sigmoid diverticular disease, and to compare results of patients having hand-sewn or stapled endto-end colonic anastomosis to the proximal rectum. following elective resectional surgery for complicated sigmoid diverticulosis.

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