Causes of rectal prolapse

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on September 26, 2024
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The causes of rectal prolapse primarily include older age or physical weakness leading to relaxation and sagging of the pelvic and rectal mucosa. Prolonged constipation can also lead to excessive straining during bowel movements, causing stress-induced sagging of the intestinal mucosa. Additionally, women who have gone through childbirth may experience rectal prolapse due to excessive straining of the pelvic floor muscles during delivery or increased abdominal pressure during pregnancy, which compresses the rectal mucosa. The treatment for rectal prolapse mainly consists of conservative medication or surgical removal. For mild cases of rectal prolapse, including those in children, traditional Chinese medicine enemas can be used. However, for moderate to severe cases, or cases where prolapse recurs frequently and significantly forms a complete prolapse, surgical removal is recommended.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Can you eat pork with rectal prolapse?

Patients with rectal prolapse can eat pork. Rectal prolapse is common in patients who have had chronic constipation or are physically weak. Therefore, to avoid constipation and excessive straining during bowel movements, it is recommended that patients with rectal prolapse maintain a diet that is light and bland. They should avoid spicy foods such as chili peppers and seafood, as well as foods that are hard in texture, to prevent stools from becoming too dry and necessitating excessive straining, which can worsen the prolapse or even lead to complete rectal prolapse. To prevent the recurrence of constipation or excessive straining during bowel movements, it is advisable to consume more liquid foods, as well as light vegetables and fruits. Moreover, if the condition frequently recurs or clearly leads to complete rectal prolapse, it is recommended that patients undergo surgical treatment as soon as possible.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Can glycerin suppositories be used for rectal prolapse?

If a patient experiences difficulty in defecation or constipation due to rectal prolapse, enemas can be used to help facilitate bowel movements. The basic principle behind the defecation difficulties caused by rectal prolapse is due to the prolapsed, lax mucosa blocking the anal opening, preventing normal excretion of stool. Alternatively, when excretion does occur, it may be impeded by the mucosal obstruction, obstructing the normal passage of feces. Therefore, besides using enemas to address difficulty in defection and bowel movement, it is more necessary to surgically remove the lax mucosa to achieve a fundamental treatment. The use of enemas alone can only provide temporary relief of symptoms and does not address the root cause of the problem. For rectal mucosal prolapse, a stapled hemorrhoidopexy can be performed to surgically remove the prolapsed mucosa.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Can you have children with rectal prolapse?

If a patient is diagnosed with rectal prolapse, they can still have children. However, childbirth can potentially worsen rectal prolapse, especially during natural delivery, where excessive straining in the pelvic and anal areas can exacerbate the condition. Therefore, if a patient already has rectal prolapse, it is advised to consider surgical removal treatment before pregnancy. If rectal prolapse occurs during pregnancy, external wash medications and hot compresses can be used to promote retraction. If rectal prolapse occurs during delivery, surgical treatment can also be carried out after childbirth. However, it is recommended that patients with severe rectal prolapse undergo cesarean delivery to avoid the excessive strain during natural childbirth, which could worsen the prolapse.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Can rectal prolapse heal itself?

Rectal mucosal prolapse primarily refers to a condition where the rectal mucosa becomes excessively relaxed, accumulates near the anus, and presents symptoms such as a distinct feeling of fullness and downward pressure at the anal area. Sometimes, the prolapsed mucosa may congest the anal opening, causing difficulty in defecation or even constipation. Rectal mucosal prolapse cannot heal completely on its own. Treatment options include medication to alleviate symptoms or surgery to remove the prolapsed mucosa. Patients with rectal mucosal prolapse should avoid straining excessively during bowel movements. If constipation occurs, patients should not strain too hard and may use enemas to assist with bowel movements.

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Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
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Postoperative Care for Rectal Prolapse Surgery

Post-Rectal Prolapse Surgery Precautions: 1. Rest in bed, which helps improve the recovery rate. Due to gravity, many patients with rectal prolapse experience prolapse when standing or walking. Although the surgery fixes the prolapsed mucosa, the firmness of the fixation takes time to establish. Therefore, it is recommended to rest in bed with limited activity for one week after the surgery to solidify the therapeutic effects. 2. Take oral antibiotics for 7 to 10 days after surgery. 3. Abstain from food for the first two days after surgery, and consume semi-liquid or liquid foods in reduced quantities on the third day. 4. Refrain from defecating for 4 to 5 days after surgery. 5. Do not strain during the first bowel movement after surgery. (Please use medications under the guidance of a professional physician)