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Rectal Prolapse Treatment

Rectal prolapse is a painful condition where the rectum falls out of the anal opening. It causes pain when sitting, and discomfort in many other movements as well. A rectal prolapse can make defecation difficult and lead to secondary infections from exposure. There are several treatments for rectal prolapses, as well as methods of easing pain during a prolapse.

  1. Types of Prolapse

    • In order to develop the appropriate treatment, determine the type of rectal prolapse. A full prolapse involves the entire rectum turning inside out and protruding from the anal opening. A mucosal prolapse involves only the mucous membrane of the rectum and not the actual wall of the rectum. The third type of prolapse is sometimes harder to diagnose than the others because it's not visible, and patients do not report it as early. This is an internal prolapse, where the rectum has turned inside out but is not protruding from the anus.

    Causes for Prolapses

    • Pregnancy, obesity and hard stool can cause the strain that induces a prolapse. Elderly people are more prone to a prolapse without external causes, such as those listed.

    Manual Replacement

    • In severe cases, a surgeon may simply attempt to replace the rectal tissue using a soft, wet cloth and applying pressure to push it back into place.

    Surgery

    • Modern prolapse surgeries are usually performed via laparoscopy, which allows for a shorter recovery and less pain than a full incision. The surgeon removes any extra rectum length and then secures the remaining colon to the sacrum (the tail bone).

    Stool Softeners

    • Internal and mucosal prolapses are often first treated with stool softeners to attempt to heal the problem without surgery. Relieving the pressure from defecation helps to lessen the strain in the rectal area so that the membranes can adjust themselves properly.

    Salves

    • Doctors will often prescribe salves and ointments such as Preparation H, and anti-inflammatory medications and local anesthesia to help soothe the pain of a rectal prolapse. Medications prescribed in this way attempt to shrink the tissue so that it will return to its normal position.

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