What is the pathogenic mechanism of rectal prolapse?

Written by Chen Tian Jing

Colorectal Surgery

Updated on September 27, 2024

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The pathogenic mechanism of rectal prolapse primarily refers to the relaxation and sagging of the rectal mucosa down to the anal area, forming an internal rectal mucosa prolapse. Excessive relaxation of the rectal mucosa can protrude externally through the anus in a cylindrical or conical shape, commonly known as external rectal mucosa prolapse or rectal prolapse. The causes are mainly due to congenital deficiency of kidney energy in patients or excessive relaxation of the rectal mucosa due to multiple childbirths. Some patients with long-term constipation may also experience rectal mucosal relaxation due to excessive straining during bowel movements. Additionally, elderly and frail patients may experience sagging of the rectal mucosa as they age.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing

Colorectal Surgery

1min 4sec

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Which department to consult for rectal prolapse?

Rectal prolapse is generally divided into internal mucosal prolapse and external prolapse. External mucosal prolapse is commonly known as rectal prolapse, which falls under the category of proctological diseases. Therefore, patients who suspect they have rectal prolapse should promptly visit a proctology department for relevant examinations and treatment. The examination and diagnosis of rectal prolapse mainly involve digital rectal examination, anoscopy, and defecography to confirm the diagnosis. Especially for internal mucosal prolapse, which cannot be seen with the naked eye, defecography is necessary for differentiation. In cases of rectal prolapse, one can generally see a ring-like protrusion outside the anus, and in severe cases, there may be conical or cylindrical prolapse. Regardless of whether it is internal mucosal prolapse or rectal prolapse, surgical treatment is necessary.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing

Colorectal Surgery

54sec

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What is the pathogenic mechanism of rectal prolapse?

The pathogenic mechanism of rectal prolapse primarily refers to the relaxation and sagging of the rectal mucosa down to the anal area, forming an internal rectal mucosa prolapse. Excessive relaxation of the rectal mucosa can protrude externally through the anus in a cylindrical or conical shape, commonly known as external rectal mucosa prolapse or rectal prolapse. The causes are mainly due to congenital deficiency of kidney energy in patients or excessive relaxation of the rectal mucosa due to multiple childbirths. Some patients with long-term constipation may also experience rectal mucosal relaxation due to excessive straining during bowel movements. Additionally, elderly and frail patients may experience sagging of the rectal mucosa as they age.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing

Colorectal Surgery

1min 3sec

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Can you eat pork with rectal prolapse?

Patients with rectal prolapse can eat pork. Rectal prolapse is common in patients who have had chronic constipation or are physically weak. Therefore, to avoid constipation and excessive straining during bowel movements, it is recommended that patients with rectal prolapse maintain a diet that is light and bland. They should avoid spicy foods such as chili peppers and seafood, as well as foods that are hard in texture, to prevent stools from becoming too dry and necessitating excessive straining, which can worsen the prolapse or even lead to complete rectal prolapse. To prevent the recurrence of constipation or excessive straining during bowel movements, it is advisable to consume more liquid foods, as well as light vegetables and fruits. Moreover, if the condition frequently recurs or clearly leads to complete rectal prolapse, it is recommended that patients undergo surgical treatment as soon as possible.

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Written by Deng Heng

Colorectal Surgery

48sec

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Clinical manifestations of rectal prolapse

The main symptom of rectal prolapse is a swelling that protrudes from the anus. In the early stages, the swelling is small and only protrudes during defecation, retracting on its own afterwards. As the condition progresses, the protrusion occurs more frequently and grows larger, requiring manual assistance to push it back into the anus after defecation. This is accompanied by a feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation and a feeling of heaviness. If not addressed promptly, the prolapsed intestine may become swollen, constricted, incarcerated, and even risk necrosis. As the prolapse worsens, it can cause varying degrees of anal incontinence, accompanied by the discharge of mucus, which leads to eczema and itching around the anal area.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing

Colorectal Surgery

1min

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Can glycerin suppositories be used for rectal prolapse?

If a patient experiences difficulty in defecation or constipation due to rectal prolapse, enemas can be used to help facilitate bowel movements. The basic principle behind the defecation difficulties caused by rectal prolapse is due to the prolapsed, lax mucosa blocking the anal opening, preventing normal excretion of stool. Alternatively, when excretion does occur, it may be impeded by the mucosal obstruction, obstructing the normal passage of feces. Therefore, besides using enemas to address difficulty in defection and bowel movement, it is more necessary to surgically remove the lax mucosa to achieve a fundamental treatment. The use of enemas alone can only provide temporary relief of symptoms and does not address the root cause of the problem. For rectal mucosal prolapse, a stapled hemorrhoidopexy can be performed to surgically remove the prolapsed mucosa.