Why it's done
By Mayo Clinic staffRectal prolapse surgery is performed in people with chronic rectal prolapse. Surgery is done to relieve the discomfort of rectal prolapse. Rectal prolapse surgery may also reduce fecal incontinence.
For occasional rectal prolapse, self-care measures may help
For some people, minor rectal prolapse occurs occasionally when they strain to have a bowel movement. In these people, rectal prolapse may go away on its own. Rectal prolapse may be prevented by eating a high-fiber diet, drinking plenty of liquids, and taking laxatives, stool softeners and stool-bulking agents.
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- Fry RD, et al. Colon and rectum. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&uniq=208746819. Accessed Oct. 19, 2010.
- Rectal prolapse. American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons. http://www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/rectal_prolapse/. Accessed Oct. 19, 2010.
- Tou S, et al. Surgery for complete rectal prolapse in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2008:CD001758.

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