Rectal Prolapse

Diagnosis

Symptoms of rectal prolapse are similar to those of hemorrhoids, but the prolapse originates higher in the body than hemorrhoids do. Symptoms include:

• Tissue protruding from the rectum
• Pain during bowel movements
• Mucus or blood discharge from the protruding tissue
• Inability to control bowel movements (fecal incontinence)
• Loss of urge to defecate (usually with larger prolapses)
• Difficulty with bowel movements or a sense of incomplete bowel movements

Early in the development of a prolapsed rectum, the protrusion may occur during bowel movements and retract afterwards. The protrusion may become more frequent and appear when the person sneezes or coughs. Eventually, the protruding rectum worsens and requires a medical examination.

Some or all of these tests may be recommended by your surgeon to determine if an operation is indicated:

• Anorectal examination — Sufficient for diagnosis when the rectum protrudes out of the anus.
• Videodefecogram — This X-ray test is taken while the patient is having a bowel movement to help determine whether the prolapse is internal and if surgery is necessary.
• Anorectal manometry test — Measures how well the muscles around the rectum are functioning.
• Colonoscopy — Determines if the rest of the colon is normal.