Rectal prolapse (rectal procdentia) refers to a medical condition where a section of the wall of the rectum prolapses (falls down) from the normal anatomical position with associated pelvic floor dysfunction. This may occur during with straining to defecate, or occur at rest.
Used unqualified, the term rectal prolapse often is used synonymously with complete rectal prolapse (external rectal prolapse), where the rectal walls have prolapsed to a degree where they protrude out the anus and are visible outside the body. However, most researchers agree that there are 3 to 5 different types of rectal prolapse, depending on if the prolapsed section is visible externally, and if the full or only partial thickness of the rectal wall is involved.
Rectal prolapse may occur without any symptoms, but depending upon the nature of the prolapse there may be mucous discharge (mucus coming from the anus), rectal bleeding, degrees of fecal incontinence and obstructed defecation symptoms.
Rectal prolapse is generally more common in elderly women, although it may occur at any age and in both genders. It is very rarely life threatening, but the symptoms can be debilitating if left untreated. Most external prolapse cases can be treated successfully, often with a surgical procedure. Internal prolapses are traditionally harder to treat and surgery may not be suitable for many patients.
Read more about Rectal Prolapse: Terminology, Classification, Complete (external) Rectal Prolapse, Internal Rectal Intussusception, Mucosal Prolapse, Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome & Colitis Cystica Profunda, Mucosal Prolapse Syndrome
Other articles related to "rectal prolapse, prolapse, rectal, prolapses":
... Rectal prolapse is a “ falling down” of the rectum so that it is visible externally ... The true incidence of rectal prolapse is unknown, but it is thought to be uncommon. 50 are six times more likely to develop rectal prolapse than men ...
... A group of conditions known as Mucosal prolapse syndrome (MPS) has now been recognized ... It includes SRUS, rectal prolapse, proctitis cystica profunda, and inflammatory polyps ... The unifying feature is varying degrees of rectal prolapse, whether internal intussusception (occult prolapse) or external prolapse ...
... In 1912 Moschcowitzl proposed that rectal prolapse was a sliding hernia through a pelvic fascial defect ... This theory was based on the observation that rectal prolapse patients have a mobile and unsupported pelvic floor, and a hernia sac of peritoneum from the Pouch ... structures can sometimes be seen in addition to the rectal prolapse ...
... Mucosal prolapse can be differentiated from a full thickness external rectal prolapse (a complete rectal prolapse) by the orientation of the folds (furrows) in the prolapsed section ... In full thickness rectal prolapse, these folds run circumferential ... In mucosal prolapse, these folds are radially ...
... Rectal prolapse (rectal procidentia) refers to a medical condition where a section of the wall of the rectum prolapses (falls down) from the normal anatomical ... Used unqualified, the term rectal prolapse often is used synonymously with complete rectal prolapse (external rectal prolapse), where the rectal walls have prolapsed to a degree where they protrude ... However, most researchers agree that there are 3 to 5 different types of rectal prolapse, depending on if the prolapsed section is visible externally, and ...