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Housecall, our weekly general-interest e-newsletter, keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics with timely, reliable, practical information, recipes, blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts and more. Our biweekly topic-specific e-newsletters also include blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts, and other useful information that will help you manage your health.
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How you prepare
By Mayo Clinic staffTo prepare for rectal prolapse surgery, your doctor may ask that you:
- Drink a liquid to clean out your intestines. You'll be asked to drink a solution that flushes food and stool from your colon and rectum in the days before your surgery.
- Take antibiotics. Antibiotics help prevent infection by suppressing the bacteria that are present in your intestines.
- Shower using special soap. Before your surgery, you'll be asked to take a shower using special antibacterial soap to help prevent germs on your skin from causing infection after your surgery.
- Stop taking certain medications. Depending on your procedure, you may be asked to stop taking certain medications.
Prepare for your hospital stay
You'll likely spend a few days in the hospital after rectal prolapse surgery. Plan ahead so you'll be as comfortable as possible during your stay. Consider bringing:
- Personal care items, such as your toothbrush or your shaving supplies
- Comfortable clothes, such as a robe and slippers
- Entertainment, such as books and games
References
- Marderstein EL, et al. Surgical management of rectal prolapse. Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2007;4(10):552.
- Townsend CM, et al. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/105659175-2/0/1565/0.html. Accessed Sept. 25, 2008.
- Rectal prolapse. American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. http://www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/rectal_prolapse/. Accessed Sept. 25, 2008.
- Felt-Bersma RJF, et al. Rectal prolapse, rectal intussusceptions, rectocele, solitary rectal ulcer syndrome, and enterocele. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. 2008;37(3):645.
- Pemberton JH (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 18, 2008.
