LAUSR

BACKGROUND Sclerotherapy is a commonly utilized treatment for rectal prolapse in children. This study systematically evaluates the effectiveness and complications of various sclerosing agents in treating pediatric rectal prolapse. METHODS After protocol registration (CRD-42018088980), multiple databases were searched. Studies describing injection sclerotherapy for treatment of pediatric rectal prolapse were included, with screening and data abstraction duplicated. The methodological quality of included papers was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) score. RESULTS Nineteen studies were identified, published between 1970 and 2017. Most studies were single institution case series, with median "N" 57+/-88.9 and mean MINORS score of 0.51+/-0.17 (perfect score = 1). 1510 patients with a mean age of 4.5 years were accounted for: 36.2% female, most without comorbidities. Mean follow up length was 30 months. The most common sclerosing agent described was ethanol (45%), followed by phenol (33%). The mean number of treatments per patient was 1.1+/-0.34. The overall success rate after a single sclerotherapy treatment was 76.9%+/-8.8%. The overall complication rate was 14.4%+/-2%. CONCLUSIONS Injection sclerotherapy appears effective and low-risk in the treatment of pediatric rectal prolapse and should be considered before more invasive surgical options. The available evidence is of relatively poor quality, and prospective comparative investigations are warranted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 (meta-analysis of level 3 studies).