Rectal prolapse is a medical term for the condition where the last few inches of the large intestine, called the rectum, protrude through the anus. Rectal protrusion may occur during straining or at rest. Protrusion of the rectal lining during straining can sometimes occur otherwise healthy infants. It is usually transient and resolves by itself. Rectal prolapse in adults, however, tends to worsen and eventually requires corrective surgery, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Rectal prolapse is more common among older females.
Bleeding
Bleeding is listed by the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons as one of the common complications of rectal prolapse. The prolapsed rectum is turned inside out; lying on its outer surface is the highly vascular, sensitive, inner lining called the mucosa. This mucosa bleeds easily on contact, and this bleeding can be mistaken initially for hemorrhoids or piles. Piles also involve passing of fresh blood from the rectum and the protrusion of soft tissues from the anus.
In order to diagnose the condition causing the bleeding, a doctor requests that the patient strain as if defecating in order to examine the nature of the prolapsed tissue. A rectal prolapse is characterized by the presence of folds in its mucosa.
Incontinence to Stools
The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library states that incontinence to stools is frequent in patients suffering from rectal prolapse. The inability of the patient to retain full control over fecal matter stems from the fact that the muscles of the anal sphincter are usually weak with this condition, and that the rectum is stretched and turned inside out. Many patients developed rectal prolapse after years of straining and chronic constipation. The intake of laxatives and loose stools can also contribute to fecal incontinence.
Complications of Treatment
According to MayoClinic.com, rectal prolapse often needs to be treated through surgery. Recta prolapse surgery may be complicated by injury to nerves or vessels in the pelvis, organ injury, worsening in the underlying constipation, rectal narrowing, infection, and bleeding. Also, rectal prolapse may recur after surgery, especially if the rectal prolapse surgery was done through the anus.
