Rectal Prolapse

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Basics & Types - Descent Unpacked

Rectal prolapse: Protrusion of rectal wall(s) beyond the anal verge.

  • Types:
    • Full-Thickness Rectal Prolapse (FTRP) / Procidentia:
      • Entire rectal wall (all layers) protrudes.
      • Concentric/circumferential mucosal folds.
      • Sulcus present between prolapse and anal margin.
    • Mucosal Prolapse (Partial Prolapse):
      • Only rectal mucosa protrudes.
      • Radial mucosal folds.
      • No sulcus.
    • Internal Prolapse (Occult / Rectal Intussusception):
      • Rectum telescopes internally; no external protrusion.
      • Diagnosed via defecography or MRI.

Full-thickness vs mucosal rectal prolapse

⭐ Concentric mucosal folds are pathognomonic for full-thickness rectal prolapse (procidentia), differentiating it from the radial folds of mucosal prolapse.

Etiology & Risks - Why It Slips Out

  • Pelvic Floor Weakness:
    • Multiparity, advancing age
    • Prior pelvic surgery (e.g., hysterectomy)
    • Connective tissue disorders (Ehlers-Danlos, Marfan)
  • Chronic Straining / ↑ Intra-abdominal Pressure:
    • Chronic constipation, severe diarrhea
    • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
    • Chronic cough (COPD, asthma)
  • Anatomical Factors:
    • Deep Pouch of Douglas
    • Redundant sigmoid colon, poor fixation
    • Patulous anus, weak anal sphincters
    • Levator ani muscle diastasis
  • Neurological Impairment:
    • Pudendal neuropathy (childbirth, chronic straining)
    • Cauda equina syndrome, spinal injuries
  • Other Key Factors:
    • Female sex (predominant, ~6:1 F:M ratio)
    • Certain psychiatric conditions (prolonged straining)
    • Cystic fibrosis (especially in children)

⭐ Pudendal neuropathy, often from obstetric trauma or chronic straining, is a crucial factor contributing to pelvic floor weakness, fecal incontinence, and rectal prolapse.

Clinical Features & Dx - Spotting the Protrusion

  • Cardinal Symptom: Mass protruding from anus (esp. on straining).

  • Associated Symptoms:

    • Rectal bleeding (bright red)
    • Fecal incontinence (flatus, liquid, stool)
    • Mucus discharge, perianal irritation
    • Dull ache, pelvic pressure, tenesmus
    • Obstructed defecation/constipation
  • Key Sign (Examination):

    • Concentric mucosal folds on protruded mass (visible on straining).
    • Reduced anal sphincter tone may be present.
  • Diagnostic Aids:

    • Primarily clinical diagnosis.
    • Proctosigmoidoscopy: Rule out lead point (polyp, tumor).
    • Defecography (cinedefecography/MRI): For occult/internal prolapse, assess pelvic floor dynamics.
    • Colonoscopy: If bleeding or other colonic pathology suspected (e.g., in older patients).

⭐ Complete rectal prolapse (procidentia) is characterized by concentric mucosal folds on examination, distinguishing it from hemorrhoidal prolapse (radial folds).

Management Approaches - Fixing the Fall

  • Conservative Management:

    • Indications: Medically unfit, minimal/asymptomatic prolapse.
    • Methods: High-fiber diet, stool softeners, pelvic floor exercises (Kegel).
  • Surgical Management: Tailored to patient (age, comorbidities, bowel function) & surgeon expertise.

  • Perineal Approaches: (Preferred for older, high-risk patients)

    • Delorme's: Mucosal sleeve resection & muscle plication.
    • Altemeier's (Perineal Rectosigmoidectomy): Full-thickness resection. Good for irreducible/gangrenous prolapse.
  • Abdominal Approaches: (Preferred for younger, fit patients; lower recurrence)

    • Rectopexy: Fixation of rectum to sacrum (e.g., Ripstein - anterior mesh, Wells - posterior mesh, Suture rectopexy).
    • Resection Rectopexy: Sigmoid resection + rectopexy (e.g., Frykman-Goldberg); addresses associated constipation.
    • Laparoscopic approach is standard for many abdominal procedures.

⭐ Abdominal rectopexy generally has lower recurrence rates (e.g., <10%) compared to perineal procedures (e.g., Delorme's 10-15%, Altemeier's 5-10%, though some perineal can be higher).

Rectal Prolapse Surgical Approach Decision Tree

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Rectal prolapse: Protrusion of rectal layers; full-thickness (procidentia) common in elderly women.
  • Etiology: Weak pelvic floor, chronic straining, multiparity, pudendal nerve injury.
  • Diagnosis: Clinical, often requiring straining or squatting to demonstrate.
  • Altemeier procedure (perineal proctosigmoidectomy) for elderly/high-risk patients.
  • Abdominal rectopexy (e.g., Ripstein) offers lower recurrence but risks postoperative constipation.
  • Delorme procedure: Perineal mucosal resection and muscle plication for shorter prolapses.
  • Key complications: Recurrence, fecal incontinence, and constipation.

Practice Questions: Rectal Prolapse

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 65-year-old P3+0 female complains of procidentia. She has a past history significant for MI and is diabetic and hypertensive. The patient is not sexually active. Ideal management of prolapse in this patient is:

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Flashcards: Rectal Prolapse

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_____ procedure, is used for managing Hirschsprung disease where endorectal muscosal dissection is done within the distal (aganglionic) segment, followed by pulling the remnant muscular cuff and performing a colorectal anastomosis

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

_____ procedure, is used for managing Hirschsprung disease where endorectal muscosal dissection is done within the distal (aganglionic) segment, followed by pulling the remnant muscular cuff and performing a colorectal anastomosis

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