What is rectal prolapse?

Rectal prolapse happens when the bottom of the large intestine (rectum) slips outside the opening of the anus. This may happen while you are straining during a bowel movement. The tissue may slip back inside the anus, or it may remain visible. Rectal prolapse is not an emergency, but it may cause discomfort.

Who gets rectal prolapse?

Risk factors for rectal prolapse include:

Sex. Women commonly experience rectal prolapse more than men. While it is suggested that rectal prolapse occurs as a consequence of childbirth, as many as one-third of women who have the condition have never had children.

Age. Most people with rectal prolapse are over the age of 50.

Symptoms of rectal prolapse

The way most people become aware that they have rectal prolapse is that they notice a red-colored mass protruding from their anus. This may occur while straining to have a bowel movement.

Other signs of rectal prolapse include:

• An inability to control your bowel movements
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Blood or mucus leaking from the rectum
• Feeling like your bowel movement wasn’t complete

Treatment for rectal prolapse

There are several options that colorectal surgeons can use to repair rectal prolapse.

• Rectal prolapse repair through the abdomen. Your surgeon will make an incision in your abdomen and gently pull the rectum back into place. Sutures or a mesh sling will anchor the rectum to the pelvis. If necessary, your surgeon can also remove a portion of the colon if it is damaged. Rectal prolapse repair can also be done laparoscopically, though several small incisions using special tools, or as a robot-assisted procedure.
• Altemeier procedure for rectal prolapse repair. Your surgeon pulls the rectum through the anus, removes a portion of the rectum and sigmoid (the very end of the large intestine), and attaches the remaining rectum to the colon. This procedure may be used for patients who aren’t candidates for open or laparoscopic surgical repair.
• Delorme procedure for rectal prolapse repair. For short prolapses, your surgeon removes the lining of the rectum and folds the muscular layer to shorten the rectum.

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