Rectal Prolapse
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Basics
Description
- Full-thickness evagination of the rectal wall outside the anal opening
- 3 types of rectal prolapse:
- Full-thickness prolapse:
- Protrusion of the rectal wall through the anal canal; the most common
- Partial thickness or mucosal prolapse:
- Only mucosal layer protrudes through anus
- Occult (internal) prolapse or rectal intussusception:
- Rectal wall prolapse without protrusion through the anus
- May be difficult to diagnose
- Full-thickness prolapse:
Etiology
- Cause unclear and multifactorial:
- Chronic constipation/excessive straining
- Laxity of sphincter:
- Pelvic floor trauma/weakness; childbearing
- Neurologic disease
- More common in women, peak in seventh decade
Pediatric Considerations
- Very rare after age 4 yr
- True rectal prolapse unusual in children; more likely partial or intussusception
- Consider chronic diarrhea, parasites, cystic fibrosis (CF), malnutrition as contributing causes
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Basics
Description
- Full-thickness evagination of the rectal wall outside the anal opening
- 3 types of rectal prolapse:
- Full-thickness prolapse:
- Protrusion of the rectal wall through the anal canal; the most common
- Partial thickness or mucosal prolapse:
- Only mucosal layer protrudes through anus
- Occult (internal) prolapse or rectal intussusception:
- Rectal wall prolapse without protrusion through the anus
- May be difficult to diagnose
- Full-thickness prolapse:
Etiology
- Cause unclear and multifactorial:
- Chronic constipation/excessive straining
- Laxity of sphincter:
- Pelvic floor trauma/weakness; childbearing
- Neurologic disease
- More common in women, peak in seventh decade
Pediatric Considerations
- Very rare after age 4 yr
- True rectal prolapse unusual in children; more likely partial or intussusception
- Consider chronic diarrhea, parasites, cystic fibrosis (CF), malnutrition as contributing causes
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