The digestive system is one of the most important parts of our body since through food we can obtain the energy and nutrients from the external environment that we need to keep our body functioning and survive.
But the digestive system not only has one entry point but also one exit point: the rectum and the anus. These elements, which in addition to the digestive system are part of the excretory system, are essential in order to eliminate organic waste produced by the functioning of our body and food remains that our body is not able to use.
However, sometimes diseases, disorders or alterations may appear that make the excretion of feces complicated or annoying, or even cause a part of our body to protrude. This is what happens with rectal prolapse which we are going to talk about next.
Rectal prolapse is the medical condition in which the rectum protrudes outside the anus, that is, it slides outwards. This protrusion can be partial or complete, coming out of the anus. The final part of the intestine loses the natural anchors that keep it inside the body, causing it to slip. The rectum is inverted, with the mucosal lining of the rectum visible from the outside in the form of a red extension, shaped like a finger.
This problem can be quite uncomfortable for those who suffer from it, as it is common for irritation, pain or defecation problems to appear. It can also cause symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation, secretions or even fecal incontinence (losing the ability to control excretion). Likewise, the prolapsed rectum can become perforated or ulcerated, generating hemorrhages that may even require urgent intervention. This problem It can appear at any age and in either sex It is especially common in children under 6 years of age, being another type of population in which it is highly known in adults over 50 years of age. It tends to be more common in women.
It is common for this condition to progressively worsen, with initially only the mucosa protruding and only in situations of anal strain such as defecation, returning to its original place shortly after. However, little by little the rectum is left outside the body more frequently and in more and more situations if it is not treated. In women, the protrusion of the rectum may be directed toward the posterior wall of the vagina, can generate the condition known as rectocele
Different types or grades
Rectal prolapse can appear in different degrees depending on which parts of the lower third of the intestine protrude In this sense we can find different variants.
1. Partial rectal/mucosal prolapse
Rectal prolapse in which only a part of the lower rectal mucosa protrudes, leaving other parts of the rectum or intestine unaffected. It is the most common in minors.
Type of prolapse in which the entire wall of the anal canal protrudes, acting as the outer layer of the prolapse without containing peritoneum
3. Second degree complete rectal prolapse
The most common. The anus remains in its usual position, protruding only the rectal mucosa as the external wall and the deep part of the peritoneum. In this case the prolapse contains part of the small intestine inside having a sac-shaped cavity.
4. Complete third degree or occult prolapse
The superior rectum and the distal sigmoid invaginate or a sliding of one part of the colon or rectum into another is generated, making the prolapse something hidden and not visible from the outside. This is the least common of this type of problem.
Causes of this problem
The causes of a rectal prolapse can be very diverse, the direct cause being the loss of support of the lower part of the digestive system The origin of this loss of grip is not always completely clear, but it has been observed that it tends to appear in people who meet certain conditions or perform situations of considerable effort.
Among the possible reasons for this loss of support may be malformations, colon hyperplasia or pelvic problems that allow a hernia to appear. It can also appear in situations of continued straining of the anus or abdomen, such as diarrhea or constipation, and even chronic coughs.
On the other hand, its emergence has been observed in women after childbirth Likewise, muscle or nerve problems, worm infections or cystic fibrosis have also been considered possible causes of this condition.
Rectal prolapse is a problem that can be serious, but whose treatment can vary greatly depending on the severity with which it arrives for consultation or the degree and tissues that protrude. It should always be a procedure carried out by doctors.
When we are faced with a partial and mild prolapse, the treatment may only be to gently reinsert the rectum into the anus, usually with the help of a compress to push the mass in
Sometimes treating the causes can solve the problem, at least in children. For example, in cases of constipation laxatives can be applied.
In adults or in severe cases surgical intervention may be necessary to relocate and fix the matter of the digestive system and the muscles that keep them in place. This surgery can be at the abdominal or perineal level, with different types of intervention. However, this type of intervention has its risks.
