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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Rectal prolapse physical examination

Introduction

Overview

Overview

Patients with rectal prolapse usually have rectal mass, skin excoriation or irritation of anus in physical examination.

Physical Examination

Physical Examination

Rectal prolapse can be diagnosed in outpatient clinics by history taking and inspection of the protruded rectum.[1]

Appearance of the Patient:

  • Patients with rectal prolapse usually appear good

Vital Signs:

  • Normal vital signs

Skin:

  • Skin examination: Normal

HEENT:

  • HEENT examination: Normal

Lungs:

  • Pulmonary examination: Normal

Heart:

  • Cardiovascular examination: Normal

Abdomen:

  • Abdominal examination: Normal

Pelvic:

The following findings may be found on pelvic examination of a patient with rectal prolapse:[2][3][4]

  • Large rectal mass or bulge (generally not tender to palpation) that may or may not spontaneously reduce at the completion of a bowel movement or straining
  • Skin excoriation or irritation of anus
  • Patulous anus

Genitourinary:

  • Genitourinary examination of patients with rectal prolapse is usually normal
References

References

  1. ↑ Shin EJ (2011). “Surgical treatment of rectal prolapse”. J Korean Soc Coloproctol. 27 (1): 5–12. doi:10.3393/jksc.2011.27.1.5. PMC 3053504. PMID 21431090.
  2. ↑ Patcharatrakul T, Rao S (2017). “Update on the Pathophysiology and Management of Anorectal Disorders”. Gut Liver. doi:10.5009/gnl17172. PMID 29050194. Vancouver style error: initials (help)
  3. ↑ Bordeianou L, Hicks CW, Kaiser AM, Alavi K, Sudan R, Wise PE (2014). “Rectal prolapse: an overview of clinical features, diagnosis, and patient-specific management strategies”. J. Gastrointest. Surg. 18 (5): 1059–69. doi:10.1007/s11605-013-2427-7. PMID 24352613.
  4. ↑ Goldstein SD, Maxwell PJ (2011). “Rectal prolapse”. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 24 (1): 39–45. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1272822. PMC 3140332. PMID 22379404.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shaghayegh Habibi, M.D.[2]