What is Rectopexy?
Rectopexy is a surgical procedure used to treat rectal prolapse, a condition where the rectum – the final part of the large bowel – slips down from its normal position and may protrude through the anus.
Rectal prolapse can cause a noticeable lump or bulge, particularly when opening your bowels. Other symptoms can include discomfort, bleeding, mucus discharge, constipation and difficulty controlling bowel movements.
During a rectopexy, the surgeon carefully returns the rectum to its correct position within the pelvis and secures it to help prevent it from prolapsing again. There are several ways of performing rectal prolapse surgery, including through the abdomen or the perineum (the area between the anus and genitals). The most appropriate technique will depend on factors such as the type and severity of your prolapse, your symptoms and your general health.
An abdominal rectopexy can be performed through traditional open surgery or using minimally invasive keyhole techniques. In suitable patients, robotic-assisted surgery provides another minimally invasive option.
Why choose St John & St Elizabeth Hospital for your robotic rectal surgery?
Choose St John & St Elizabeth Hospital for specialist colorectal care, advanced robotic technology and personalised treatment in the heart of St John’s Wood, London.
- Specialist colorectal surgeons: Your care is led by an experienced consultant colorectal surgeon, with treatment tailored to your diagnosis, symptoms and individual needs.
- Advanced robotic technology: Our da Vinci Xi surgical system provides enhanced 3D visualisation and highly manoeuvrable instruments to support precise, minimally invasive surgery.
- Consultant-led care: Your consultant remains in control throughout your robotic rectopexy and oversees your care from your initial consultation through to recovery.
- Personalised treatment: Your surgeon will carefully assess whether robotic rectopexy is the most appropriate approach for you and discuss your treatment options in detail.
- Private hospital care in London: Receive your treatment in our independent hospital in St John’s Wood, with specialist teams supporting you throughout your stay and recovery.
- Supporting St John’s Hospice: As a charitable hospital, any surplus we make is used to support our on-site hospice, which provides free palliative care to thousands of patients and their families each year.
Consultants offering robotic rectopexy in London
Robotically-assisted rectopexy using the da Vinci Xi surgical system
At St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, robotically-assisted rectopexy can be performed using the advanced da Vinci Xi surgical system. The da Vinci Xi does not perform the operation independently, rather your surgeon remains in control throughout the procedure, operating the robotic instruments from a nearby console.
The system provides your surgeon with a highly magnified, three-dimensional view of the operating area. Its small, wristed instruments translate the surgeon’s hand movements into precise movements inside the body, offering a greater range of motion than conventional straight laparoscopic instruments.
This can be particularly useful during robotic bowel surgery, where the surgeon is working within the confined space of the pelvis and around delicate surrounding structures.
Robotically-assisted rectopexy is performed through small abdominal incisions and therefore retains the advantages associated with a minimally invasive surgical approach. Depending on your individual circumstances, this may mean less postoperative pain, smaller scars and a quicker recovery than traditional open surgery.
Not everyone with rectal prolapse will require or be suitable for a robotic rectopexy. Your colorectal surgeon will discuss your options with you and recommend the surgical approach they consider most appropriate for your condition.
Rectal Prolapse Surgery at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital
At St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, your care is led by an experienced consultant colorectal surgeon who will assess your symptoms and recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.
In adults, rectal prolapse generally requires surgery to correct the prolapse itself. Your consultant will discuss the different surgical approaches available and explain which is most appropriate based on your individual circumstances.
Where suitable, rectal prolapse can be treated using minimally invasive robotic colorectal surgery. Rather than making one large abdominal incision, your surgeon operates through several small incisions using specialist instruments and a camera.
During the operation, the rectum is carefully repositioned and secured within the pelvis. The exact surgical technique can vary between patients and, in some cases, may involve the use of surgical mesh or additional bowel surgery. Your consultant will explain the planned procedure, its benefits and potential risks with you beforehand.
Frequently Asked Questions about robotic rectopexy
Robotic rectopexy is performed under general anaesthetic, meaning you will be asleep during the operation. Your surgeon makes several small incisions in your abdomen through which a camera and robotic surgical instruments are inserted.
Using the da Vinci Xi surgical system, your surgeon carefully frees and repositions the rectum before securing it within the pelvis. The exact technique used will depend on your individual condition and the type of rectopexy your surgeon recommends.
No. The da Vinci Xi surgical system does not perform the operation by itself. Your consultant surgeon controls the instruments throughout the procedure from a console in the operating theatre. The system translates their hand movements into precise movements of the instruments inside your body.
Robotic rectopexy allows your surgeon to perform the operation using a minimally invasive approach, with small incisions rather than the larger incision required for traditional open abdominal surgery.
The da Vinci Xi also provides a magnified 3D view and highly manoeuvrable instruments, helping your surgeon operate precisely within the pelvis. Minimally invasive surgery can offer benefits such as smaller scars, less postoperative discomfort and a quicker recovery compared with open surgery, although individual recovery varies.
Recovery varies depending on the type of rectopexy performed, your general health and whether any additional procedures are required. Following rectal prolapse surgery, it can take several weeks to return fully to your usual activities.
Your clinical team will give you personalised advice about returning to work, exercise, driving and other everyday activities.
The length of your hospital stay will depend on your procedure and how quickly you recover. Before you leave hospital, your clinical team will make sure you are recovering as expected and provide instructions for looking after yourself at home.
Bowel function can change following rectal prolapse surgery. Some people notice an improvement in symptoms such as bowel incontinence, while constipation or other changes to bowel function can occur following surgery.
It can take time for your bowel function to settle. Your consultant will discuss what you can expect based on your symptoms and the particular rectopexy technique being considered.
As with any operation, rectopexy carries potential risks and complications. These can include bleeding, infection, blood clots, constipation and bowel obstruction. There is also a possibility that rectal prolapse can return after surgery.
The risks vary according to the type of operation and your individual health. Your consultant colorectal surgeon will explain the potential benefits and risks of your recommended procedure before you decide whether to proceed.
No. There are different surgical approaches to rectal prolapse, and robotic rectopexy will not be the best option for every patient.
Your consultant will consider factors including the nature and severity of your prolapse, your symptoms, your general health and any previous surgery before recommending the most appropriate treatment for you.
Your surgical team will give you specific instructions before your operation. Depending on your circumstances, preparation may include changes to what you eat or drink, temporarily stopping certain medicines and taking medication to empty your bowel.
It is important to follow the instructions provided by your consultant and pre-assessment team carefully.