What is the cause of rectal prolapse

If we want to effectively treat rectal prolapse, we also need to pay attention to analyzing and understanding the causes. Patients with poor development or malnutrition are prone to these symptoms. Constipation, diarrhea, and prostate hypertrophy that lead to increased abdominal pressure can also cause rectal prolapse.

1. Anatomical factors

Children with poor development, malnourished patients, and the elderly are prone to weak anal levator muscles and pelvic floor fascia; the curvature of the sacrum in children is small and too straight; surgery or traumatic damage to the muscles or nerves around the anorectum can weaken the fixation and support of the rectum by the tissues around the rectum, making the rectum prone to prolapse.

2. Increased abdominal pressure

Such as constipation, diarrhea, prostate hypertrophy, chronic cough, difficulty urinating, multiple births, etc., often lead to increased abdominal pressure, pushing the rectum downward prolapse.

3. Others

Internal hemorrhoids and rectal polyps often prolapse, pulling the rectal mucosa downward and inducing mucosal prolapse.

Currently, there are two theories about the causes of complete rectal prolapse. ① Sliding hernia theory: Due to increased intra-abdominal pressure and relaxation of pelvic floor tissue, the anterior rectal peritoneal reflection at the rectovesical pouch or rectouterine pouch is pushed downward and displaced, pressing the anterior rectal wall into the rectal ampulla and finally protruding out of the anus. ②Intussusception theory: Intussusception begins at the junction of the rectum and sigmoid colon. Under the influence of factors such as increased abdominal pressure and relaxation of the pelvic floor, the intussusceptible part continues to move downward, eventually causing the rectum to prolapse from the anus.