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By Mayo Clinic staff
Rectal 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.
- 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.
