Overview
General anesthesia is used and the patient is deep asleep and pain-free. The surgeon makes an incision near the base of the spinal column (coccyx), and identifies the pelvic floor (perineal) support structures. The lower rectum is sutured to the puborectalis muscle for support, while the upper part of the rectum is pulled up and sutured to the sacrum.
Review Date 5/29/2024
Updated by: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, General Surgery Practice Specializing in Breast Cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.