Evaluation and Management of Rectal Prolapse.

Rectal prolapse, or procidentia, is a common pathology for the practicing colorectal surgeon. It is associated with lifestyle limiting symptoms for the patient and frequently co-exists with other types of pelvic prolapse making multidisciplinary management key. It is primarily managed with surgical reconstruction. A number of operative approaches exist, and the optimum procedure is varied dependent upon patient characteristics.

Anorectal Emergencies.

Anorectal emergencies are rare presentations of common anorectal disorders, and surgeons are often called on to assist in their diagnosis and management. Although most patients presenting with anorectal emergencies can be managed nonoperatively or with a bedside procedure, surgeons must also be able to identify surgical anorectal emergencies, such as gangrenous rectal prolapse. This article provides a review of pertinent anatomy; examination techniques; and workup, diagnosis, and management of common anorectal emergencies including thrombosed hemorrhoids, incarcerated hemorrhoids, anal fissure, anorectal abscess, rectal prolapse, and pilonidal abscess and unique situations including rectal foreign body and anorectal sexually transmitted infections.

Cap-assisted endoscopic sclerotherapy is effective for rectal mucosal prolapse associated outlet obstructive constipation.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Outlet obstructive constipation (OOC) is a common type of chronic constipation that is usually caused by internal hemorrhoids (IH) and rectal mucosal prolapse (RMP). Cap-assisted endoscopic sclerotherapy (CAES) was demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of IH and RMP. This study explored the efficacy of CAES in treating OOC associated with IH and RMP. METHODS: Thirty-one patients (15 males and 16 females) were diagnosed with OOC after colonoscopy and anorectal manometry (AM). CAES was used to treat IH and RMP. The self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), and Wexner constipation score (WCS) were used to assess patients at baseline and at the end of follow-up. AM tests were performed before and after CAES. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 56.19 ± 7.969 years, and the follow-up time was 2.875 ± 3.703 months. After CAES treatment, subjective indices, including frequency of bowel movements (p < 0.05), defecation time (p < 0.05), SAS (p < 0.05), SDS (p < 0.05), and WCS (p < 0.05), were significantly improved. AM showed that the anal relaxation rate (p < 0.05), maximum squeeze pressure (p < 0.05), and rectal residual pressure (p < 0.05) were significantly improved. The ratio of Bristol stool form scale typeIII-Vincreased from 12.5 % to 56.25 % (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CAES is effective for treating OOC caused by IH and RMP. The relief of OOC symptoms could improve anxiety and depression symptoms associated with the disease.

Evaluation and Management of Rectal Prolapse Among Geriatric Patients.

Evaluation and management of older adults within emergency care settings is often complex and has the potential for avoidable complications. In an effort to prevent harm to the patient, treatment strategies need to be multifactorial. For geriatric patients presenting with rectal prolapse, unique management strategies, including the use of granulated sugar and gentle pressure, may assist in the reduction of the prolapsed tissue. Additional interventions that are important to incorporate into the older adult's plan of care include gentle approaches to positioning, involvement of family/caregivers, avoiding harmful medications, reducing risk for delirium, and a successful transition of care. A manual reduction completed in the emergency department can relieve discomfort and prevent further complications while the patient awaits surgical evaluation and intervention. Prompt evaluation and management by the advanced practice registered nurse may not only expedite recognition of the prolapse, but can reduce iatrogenic complications that may occur from delayed treatment.

Benign anorectal disease in children: What do we know?

Benign anorectal disease refers to a diverse group of frequent anorectal complaints that cause considerable discomfort, disability, and often constitute a significant problem for the child and his or her family. Hemorrhoids, fissures, rectal prolapse, and perianal abscess and fistulas are the most common anorectal disorders in pediatric population and their appearance may be age-specific. Although they generally follow a benign course, a careful examination must be performed in order to exclude other serious and complicated underlying pathology. Their diagnosis is based on the patient's medical history, physical examination, endoscopy, and imaging. Moreover, the management of these disorders includes medical and surgical treatment options, and if they are treated promptly and properly may be limited and short lived. This review presents the currently available data in the literature on the diverse aspects of these disorders, including the definition, epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, indications for surgery, and long-term outcomes.

Pessaries (mechanical devices) for managing pelvic organ prolapse in women.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic organ prolapse is a common problem in women. About 40% of women will experience prolapse in their lifetime, with the proportion expected to rise in line with an ageing population. Women experience a variety of troublesome symptoms as a consequence of prolapse, including a feeling of 'something coming down' into the vagina, pain, urinary symptoms, bowel symptoms and sexual difficulties. Treatment for prolapse includes surgery, pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and vaginal pessaries. Vaginal pessaries are passive mechanical devices designed to support the vagina and hold the prolapsed organs back in the anatomically correct position. The most commonly used pessaries are made from polyvinyl-chloride, polythene, silicone or latex. Pessaries are frequently used by clinicians with high numbers of clinicians offering a pessary as first-line treatment for prolapse.  This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2003 and last published in 2013. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of pessaries (mechanical devices) for managing pelvic organ prolapse in women; and summarise the principal findings of relevant economic evaluations of this intervention. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Specialised Register which contains trials identified from the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, MEDLINE Epub Ahead of Print, ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO ICTRP and handsearching of journals and conference proceedings (searched 28 January 2020). We searched the reference lists of relevant articles and contacted the authors of included studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials which included a pessary for pelvic organ prolapse in at least one arm of the study. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed abstracts, extracted data, assessed risk of bias and carried out GRADE assessments with arbitration from a third review author if necessary. MAIN RESULTS: We included four studies involving a total of 478 women with various stages of prolapse, all of which took place in high-income countries. In one trial, only six of the 113 recruited women consented to random assignment to an intervention and no data are available for those six women. We could not perform any meta-analysis because each of the trials addressed a different comparison. None of the trials reported data about perceived resolution of prolapse symptoms or about psychological outcome measures. All studies reported data about perceived improvement of prolapse symptoms. Generally, the trials were at high risk of performance bias, due to lack of blinding, and low risk of selection bias. We downgraded the certainty of evidence for imprecision resulting from the low numbers of women participating in the trials. Pessary versus no treatment: at 12 months' follow-up, we are uncertain about the effect of pessaries compared with no treatment on perceived improvement of prolapse symptoms (mean difference (MD) in questionnaire scores -0.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.61 to 0.55; 27 women; 1 study; very low-certainty evidence), and cure or improvement of sexual problems (MD -0.29, 95% CI -1.67 to 1.09; 27 women; 1 study; very low-certainty evidence). In this comparison we did not find any evidence relating to prolapse-specific quality of life or to the number of women experiencing adverse events (abnormal vaginal bleeding or de novo voiding difficulty). Pessary versus pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT): at 12 months' follow-up, we are uncertain if there is a difference between pessaries and PFMT in terms of women's perceived improvement in prolapse symptoms (MD -9.60, 95% CI -22.53 to 3.33; 137 women; low-certainty evidence), prolapse-specific quality of life (MD -3.30, 95% CI -8.70 to 15.30; 1 study; 116 women; low-certainty evidence), or cure or improvement of sexual problems (MD -2.30, 95% -5.20 to 0.60; 1 study; 48 women; low-certainty evidence). Pessaries may result in a large increase in risk of adverse events compared with PFMT (RR 75.25, 95% CI 4.70 to 1205.45; 1 study; 97 women; low-certainty evidence). Adverse events included increased vaginal discharge, and/or increased urinary incontinence and/or erosion or irritation of the vaginal walls. Pessary plus PFMT versus PFMT alone: at 12 months' follow-up, pessary plus PFMT probably leads to more women perceiving improvement in their prolapse symptoms compared with PFMT alone (RR 2.15, 95% CI 1.58 to 2.94; 1 study; 260 women; moderate-certainty evidence). At 12 months' follow-up, pessary plus PFMT probably improves women's prolapse-specific quality of life compared with PFMT alone (median (interquartile range (IQR)) POPIQ score: pessary plus PFMT 0.3 (0 to 22.2); 132 women; PFMT only 8.9 (0 to 64.9); 128 women; P = 0.02; moderate-certainty evidence). Pessary plus PFMT may slightly increase the risk of abnormal vaginal bleeding compared with PFMT alone (RR 2.18, 95% CI 0.69 to 6.91; 1 study; 260 women; low-certainty evidence). The evidence is uncertain if pessary plus PFMT has any effect on the risk of de novo voiding difficulty compared with PFMT alone (RR 1.32, 95% CI 0.54 to 3.19; 1 study; 189 women; low-certainty evidence). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We are uncertain if pessaries improve pelvic organ prolapse symptoms for women compared with no treatment or PFMT but pessaries in addition to PFMT probably improve women's pelvic organ prolapse symptoms and prolapse-specific quality of life. However, there may be an increased risk of adverse events with pessaries compared to PFMT. Future trials should recruit adequate numbers of women and measure clinically important outcomes such as prolapse specific quality of life and resolution of prolapse symptoms.   The review found two relevant economic evaluations. Of these, one assessed the cost-effectiveness of pessary treatment, expectant management and surgical procedures, and the other compared pessary treatment to PFMT.

Surgical Management of Rectal Prolapse in Infants and Children.

The surgical management of children with rectal prolapse is wide ranging and without consensus within the pediatric surgical community. While the majority of rectal prolapse in infants and children resolves spontaneously or with the medical management of constipation, a small but significant subset of patients may require intervention for persistent symptoms. In this review, we discuss the etiology and pathophysiology of rectal prolapse in both infants and children, options for medical management, described interventions and surgical options and their outcomes, and future avenues for research and investigation.

Management of rectal prolapse (Guda Bhramsa) through Kshara Karma (chemical cauterisation): a case study / Manejo do prolapso retal (Guda Bhramsa) usando Kshara Karma(cauterização química): um estudo de caso

Abstract Rectal Prolapse is a condition where the rectum protrudes beyond the anus. The explanation of this condition can be traced back to ancient Ayurveda text like Susruta Samhita, Ebers Pappyrus of 1500 B.C., etc. The exact cause of rectal prolapse is unclear but it is predominant on female gender and on people having constipation, previous anorectal surgeries etc. Both partial and complete varieties of rectal prolapse are extremely debilitating because of the discomfort of the prolapsing mass and variety of symptoms like rectal bleed, intermittent constipation or fecal incontinence. Although, diverse modalities of surgical management of rectal prolapse are present, no single optimal procedure is proved and the choice of operation is determined by the patient's age, sex, degree of incontinence, operative risk, as well as by the surgeon's experience. In Ayurveda, Guda Bhramsa (Rectal prolapse) is explained by Acharya Susruta under Kshudra Rogas (chapter of minor diseases) and has elaborated it's conservative management very beautifully. In this case, a female with partial rectal prolapse was treated with Kshara application and managed without complications. So, Kshara application can be a safe and effective alternative for the management of rectal prolapse.

Resumo O prolapso retal é uma condição em que o reto se projeta para além do ânus. A explicação desta condição foi relatada em antigos textos Ayurveda como Susruta Samhita e Ebers Pappyrus, datados de 1500 aC. A causa exata do prolapso retal não é clara, mas essa condição é predominante no sexo feminino e nas pessoas com constipação e histórico de cirurgias anorretais anteriores. Tanto o prolapso retal parcial quanto total são extremamente debilitantes devido ao desconforto da massa prolapsante e da variedade de sintomas como sangramento retal, constipação intermitente ou incontinência fecal. Embora diversas modalidades de tratamento cirúrgico para corrigir o prolapso retal tenham sido relatadas na literatura, nenhum procedimento é consensual; a escolha da operação é determinada pela idade, sexo, grau de incontinência, risco operatório e experiência do cirurgião. Na Ayurveda, Guda Bhramsa (prolapso retal) é explicado por Acharya Susruta no Kshudra Rogas (capítulo de doenças menores) e seu manejo conservador é descrito de forma bastante completa. No presente caso, uma paciente do sexo feminino com prolapso retal parcial foi tratada com aplicação de Kshara e administrada sem complicações. Assim, a aplicação de Kshara pode ser uma alternativa segura e eficaz para o manejo do prolapso retal.

A systematic review of management options in pediatric rectal prolapse.

PURPOSE: Rectal prolapse is a relatively common condition in infants and young children with a multifactorial etiology. Despite its prevalence, there remains clinical equipoise with respect to secondary treatment in pediatric surgery literature. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate methods of secondary treatment currently used to treat rectal prolapse in children. METHODS: We searched Pubmed, Medline, and Scopus with the terms "rectal prolapse" and "children" for papers published from 1990 to April 2017. Papers satisfying strict criteria were analyzed for patient demographics, intervention, efficacy, and complications. Procedures were grouped by like type. Pooled success rates were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies documenting 907 patients were included. Injection sclerotherapy had an overall initial success rate of 79.5%. Ethyl alcohol seemed the best sclerosing agent due to a high first-injection success rate, low complication rate, and ready accessibility. Several perineal repairs were found, with operative success rates ranging from 60.8%-100%. Laparoscopic rectopexy with mesh was the most commonly reported transabdominal procedure and had an overall success rate of 96.1%. Postoperative complications from all procedures were comparable. CONCLUSION: Though many secondary treatment options have been reported for rectal prolapse, sclerotherapy and laparoscopic rectopexy predominate in contemporary literature and appear to have high success and low complication rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Sclerotherapy for rectal prolapse in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sclerotherapy is a commonly utilized treatment for rectal prolapse in children. This study systematically evaluates the effectiveness and complications of various sclerosing agents in treating pediatric rectal prolapse. METHODS: After protocol registration (CRD-42018088980), multiple databases were searched. Studies describing injection sclerotherapy for treatment of pediatric rectal prolapse were included, with screening and data abstraction duplicated. The methodological quality of included papers was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) score. RESULTS: Nineteen studies were identified, published between 1970 and 2017. Most studies were single institution case series, with median "N" 57+/-88.9 and mean MINORS score of 0.51+/-0.17 (perfect score = 1). 1510 patients with a mean age of 4.5 years were accounted for: 36.2% female, most without comorbidities. Mean follow up length was 30 months. The most common sclerosing agent described was ethanol (45%), followed by phenol (33%). The mean number of treatments per patient was 1.1+/-0.34. The overall success rate after a single sclerotherapy treatment was 76.9%+/-8.8%. The overall complication rate was 14.4%+/-2%. CONCLUSIONS: Injection sclerotherapy appears effective and low-risk in the treatment of pediatric rectal prolapse and should be considered before more invasive surgical options. The available evidence is of relatively poor quality, and prospective comparative investigations are warranted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 (meta-analysis of level 3 studies).

Consensus Statement of the Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery (SICCR): management and treatment of complete rectal prolapse.

Rectal prolapse, rectal procidentia, "complete" prolapse or "third-degree" prolapse is the full-thickness prolapse of the rectal wall through the anal canal and has a significant impact on quality of life. The incidence of rectal prolapse has been estimated to be approximately 2.5 per 100,000 inhabitants with a clear predominance among elderly women. The aim of this consensus statement was to provide evidence-based data to allow an individualized and appropriate management and treatment of complete rectal prolapse. The strategy used to search for evidence was based on application of electronic sources such as MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Review Library, CINAHL and EMBASE. The recommendations were defined and graded based on the current levels of evidence and in accordance with the criteria adopted by the American College of Gastroenterology's Chronic Constipation Task Force. Five evidence levels were defined. The recommendations were graded A, B, and C.

Management of patients with rectal prolapse: the 2017 Dutch guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Rectal prolapse-both external rectal prolapse and internal rectal prolapse-is a disabling condition. In view of the overwhelming number of surgical procedures described for the treatment of rectal prolapse, a comprehensive update concerning the diagnostic and therapeutic pathway for this condition is required to draw recommendations for clinical practice. This initiative was commissioned by the Dutch Association for Surgery (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Heelkunde) as a multidisciplinary collaboration. METHODS: Nine questions outlining the diagnostic approach, conservative and surgical management of rectal prolapse were selected. A systematic literature search for evidence was then conducted in the Medline and Embase databases. RESULTS: Recommendations included diagnostic approach, methods to assess complaints of fecal incontinence and/or obstructive defecation and treatment options, both conservative and surgical. A level of evidence was assigned to each statement following the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines for clinical practice are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of rectal prolapse. There are many statements requiring a higher level of evidence due to a lack of studies.

Diagnosis and Management of Anorectal Disorders in the Primary Care Setting.

Anorectal disorders are very common among a wide population of patients. Because patients may be embarrassed about the anatomic location of their symptoms, they may present to care late in the course of their illness. Care should be taken to validate patient concerns and normalize fears. This article discusses the diagnoses and management of common anorectal disorders among patients presenting to a primary care physician.

Hippocratic views in the treatment of rectal prolapse.

Known since antiquity, rectal prolapse was first studied systematically by Hippocrates (460-377 BC) who recognized the predisposing factors and proposed several therapeutic approaches such as defecation positions, manual retraction and specific herbal or mineral based anti-haemorrhagic and pain-killing poultices. Hippocratic medicine avoided invasive surgical procedures probably due to a lack of knowledge in human anatomy. However, Hippocrates' views astonishingly lasted in time, presenting similarities to current medical theories on rectal prolapse.

Outcomes following sclerotherapy for mucosal rectal prolapse with oily phenol injection: single-centre review.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To review the outcomes of injection sclerotherapy with oily phenol for mucosal rectal prolapse. METHODS: Retrospective case note review of all children who underwent sclerotherapy with oily phenol injection as primary surgical intervention for mucosal rectal prolapse, from January 2007 to December 2015. MAIN RESULTS: A total of 31 patients were identified. Mean age at presentation was 4.8 years (range 5 months-12 years). 23 patients with mucosal rectal prolapse underwent injection sclerotherapy with oily phenol as primary procedure. Patients with full-thickness rectal prolapse (n = 6) and 2 with mucosal prolapse who had Thiersch stitch were excluded from the study. The cause for mucosal rectal prolapse was considered to be due to constipation (n = 15), idiopathic (n = 7), spina bifida (n = 1). Follow-up was for minimum 6 months (median = 4 years; range 6 months-17 years). Recurrence following injection sclerotherapy with oily phenol requiring further procedures was 30.4% (7/23). CONCLUSIONS: Injection sclerotherapy with oily phenol is a safe, effective and minimally invasive primary treatment option for mucosal rectal prolapse not responding to conservative management. In case of recurrence, a cautious re-examination under anaesthesia should be undertaken to exclude a missed full-thickness rectal prolapse before reinjecting.