Clinical manifestations of rectal prolapse

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on September 19, 2024
00:00
00:00

The clinical manifestations of rectal prolapse mainly involve the contents within the anal canal, especially the prolapse of the rectal mucosa outside the anus, which is most common. Severe cases of rectal prolapse may lead to a cylindrical or conical prolapse. The common type of rectal prolapse mainly refers to rectal prolapse, but there can also be internal prolapse of the rectal mucosa. Internal prolapse of the rectal mucosa is characterized by excessive relaxation and accumulation of the rectal mucosa at the anus, causing symptoms such as a sense of blockage, downward pressure, and obstruction during bowel movements. This can be definitively diagnosed through an anal examination and defecography. Regardless of whether it is internal prolapse of the rectal mucosa or rectal prolapse, when the disease progresses to a severe degree affecting the patient's normal life, surgical treatment is recommended.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
54sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
1min 3sec home-news-image

Rectal prolapse treatment

Rectal prolapse is primarily categorized into mild rectal prolapse as well as moderate and severe rectal prolapse. Mild rectal prolapse generally occurs in the early stages of the illness or in children and can be treated conservatively. Conservative treatment mainly involves Chinese herbal retention enemas. On the other hand, moderate and severe rectal prolapse can result in the protrusion of the local mucosa outside the anus, presenting as cylindrical or cone-shaped prolapses. Treating moderate to severe hemorrhoidal prolapse requires surgical intervention. The main surgical methods include hemorrhoidal mucosectomy with stapling and local submucosal sclerosant injections. It is also important to caution postoperative patients against squatting for long periods or straining during constipation, as these actions can exacerbate symptoms of submucosal prolapse.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
1min 4sec home-news-image

The difference between rectal prolapse and rectal prolapse

The difference between rectal prolapse and rectal procidentia mainly lies in the location and extent of the lesions, as well as the degree of the lesions. Rectal prolapse mainly includes internal rectal mucosal prolapse and external rectal mucosal prolapse, and external rectal mucosal prolapse is mainly referred to as rectal procidentia. Hence, rectal procidentia is a manifestation of rectal prolapse, while rectal prolapse is a generalized term for rectal procidentia. If it is an internal rectal mucosal prolapse, one can choose traditional Chinese medicine retention enema or oral medication for treatment. However, if rectal procidentia is confirmed and recurs, the only treatment method is surgery to excise the prolapsed mucosa. To prevent rectal prolapse or rectal procidentia, it is advised not to engage in excessive physical activities.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
48sec home-news-image

Clinical manifestations of rectal prolapse

The main symptom of rectal prolapse is a swelling that protrudes from the anus. In the early stages, the swelling is small and only protrudes during defecation, retracting on its own afterwards. As the condition progresses, the protrusion occurs more frequently and grows larger, requiring manual assistance to push it back into the anus after defecation. This is accompanied by a feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation and a feeling of heaviness. If not addressed promptly, the prolapsed intestine may become swollen, constricted, incarcerated, and even risk necrosis. As the prolapse worsens, it can cause varying degrees of anal incontinence, accompanied by the discharge of mucus, which leads to eczema and itching around the anal area.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
41sec home-news-image

Is rectal prolapse the same as hemorrhoids?

Rectal prolapse and hemorrhoids are two different diseases. Rectal prolapse refers to the condition where the rectal mucosa, or sometimes the entire rectal wall, prolapses downwards during defecation, prolonged standing, or fatigue, especially in severe cases. Hemorrhoids, on the other hand, involve the prolapse of vascular cushions and anal padding, sometimes accompanied by symptoms like rectal bleeding. The causes, mechanisms, pathology, symptoms, and treatment methods of these two conditions are distinct, making rectal prolapse and hemorrhoids two separate diseases.