OBJECTIVE The aim of this retrospective study was to report the results of posterior Orr-Loygue rectopexy in 55 patients operated on for rectal prolapse. METHODS From 1986 to 1997, 114 patients were operated on for rectal prolapse and 55 had an Orr-Loygue operation. There were 47 women and 8 men (mean age: 55 years). Twenty-five patients (45%) had fecal incontinence, 26 (47%) described preoperative 'constipation'. The procedure was performed under general anesthesia, through laparotomy in 51 patients, through laparoscopy in 4 patients. Resection of sigmoid colon was associated to rectopexy in four patients. RESULTS Mortality rate was 0 and morbidity rate 12%. Mean hospital stay duration was 13.5 days. Mean follow-up was 63 months and at the end of the study, four patients (7%) had recurrence, 5/25 patients had still incontinence; 55% of the patients had unchanged postoperative bowel function, 22% described improvement (including the four patients with resection-rectopexy) but 38% (21/55) suffered from postoperative 'constipation'. The rate of 'constipation' induced or majored by rectopexy was 22% but the functional trouble described appeared often complex. CONCLUSIONS Posterior Orr-Loygue rectopexy is the operation recommended for patients in good general condition, especially if fecal incontinence is associated. In the course of the procedure, preservation of pelvic nerves and hypogastric plexus, and positioning of the strips not too tight between the anterolateral rectal walls and promontory must be emphasized. Posterior Orr-Loygue rectopexy is contraindicated when general anesthesis is too risky and when bowel dysfunction and/or rectal exoneration dysfunction are present.