What is Rectal Prolapse?
Rectal Prolapse
Rectal prolapse is a condition where the lowest part of the large intestine protrudes out of the muscular opening that is situated at the end of the digestive tract. If a person feels like something is off while moving their bowels, it shouldn’t be neglected. In rectal prolapse, the rectum falls out of its normal position. This can be extremely uncomfortable for the person in question. Rectal prolapse is categorized into three. There is external prolapse, in which the entire rectum protrudes out of the anus of the person in question. The second category includes mucosal prolapse, where only a part of the person’s rectal lining protrudes out of the anus. And lastly, internal prolapse, in which the rectum has started to drop from its normal position inside the pelvic region, but it is not protruding out of the anus. Rectal prolapse can be uncomfortable and lead the person who has it to be embarrassed. It might even affect their everyday life.
Abdominal surgery /perineal surgery
There are many options to rectify rectal prolapse depending on the severity of it. If the rectal prolapse is caught earlier the doctor may be able to fix it with stool softeners and by pushing the rectum up by hand. However, the most commonly used option is surgery. There are various ways to treat rectal prolapse. The doctor recommends the best option after diagnosis; considering the patient”s overall health, pre-existing medical conditions, the severity of the rectal prolapse, etc. There are two different surgeries that are performed to treat rectal prolapse. Such as; Abdominal surgery and perineal surgery. Abdominal surgery can be done by cutting the patient open or by laparoscopy. Perennial surgery is another procedure that is done to treat rectal prolapse. It is also called rectal repair. In the majority of the cases, the perennial repair is used if the patient is older or if there are any other medical conditions to be wary about. A camera is inserted through the incisions so that doctors can see the prolapse and check if there are any additional issues that need to be fixed. In laparoscopic surgery, the rectum is restored to its usual position. Stitches and mesh are used to secure the rectum in its place.
- PROCEDURE NAME : Abdominal surgery /perineal surgery
- SURGERY TYPE: 1
- HOSPITALIZATION: 1
- SURGERY DURATION: 1
- ANAESTHESIA: 1
- FULL RECOVERY: 1
TREATMENTS
Diagnosis
Rectal prolapse can be diagnosed by a doctor easily. The medical professional might perform a rectal exam. Doctors might also ask the person to try and strain to move their bowels so that they can see the prolapse occurring. If the person already has any other conditions and based on the severity of the rectal prolapse, the health care professional might suggest more advanced tests like anal electromyography, anal ultrasound, colonoscopy, etc to correctly assess the rectal prolapse.
Surgery
The exact reason rectal prolapse occurs has eluded the medical community. However, the main reason for the rectum to stick out of the anus is considered to be childbirth. But, this condition has also been seen in women who have never given birth. If a person has been experiencing chronic diarrhea for prolonged periods of time, it increases the chances of rectal prolapse. Straining or exerting too much pressure while defecating can also be a reason for rectal prolapse. Some of the other causes of rectal prolapse
Causes
- Child Birth
- Old Age
- Chronic Diarrhea
Frequently Asked Questions
Is rectal prolapse life-threatening?
Rectal prolapse is not a life-threatening condition, but it can make you really uncomfortable.
How long does it take to recover from rectal prolapse?
On average, it takes about 4-6 weeks to recover from a rectal prolapse surgery
Is it okay to walk after rectal prolapse surgery?
Yes. it is okay to walk after rectal prolapse surgery. Many use walking as a choice of exercise after undergoing surgery.
Which surgery is best for rectal prolapse?
Laparoscopic surgery would be the best option for rectal prolapse.
Is rectal prolapse painful?
Rectal prolapse is not particularly painful. However, it does cause severe discomfort.
