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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffTreatment for solitary rectal ulcer syndrome depends on the severity of your condition. People with mild signs and symptoms may find relief through lifestyle changes, while people with more severe signs and symptoms may require treatment.
Behavior therapy to stop straining during bowel movements
Some people strain during bowel movements out of habit. Behavior therapy can help you learn to relax your pelvic muscles during bowel movements. In one technique called biofeedback, a specialist teaches you to control certain involuntary body responses, such as tightening of your anus or pelvic floor muscles during defecation. Biofeedback may make you more aware of your straining and help you to control it.
Medications
Treatments such as topical steroids, sulfasalazine enemas and botulinum toxin (Botox) may help ease your rectal ulcer symptoms. However, these treatments don't work for everyone, and some are still considered experimental.
Surgery
Surgical procedures used to treat rectal ulcer include:
- Rectal prolapse surgery. If you have a rectal prolapse that's causing rectal ulcer, your doctor may recommend a rectopexy procedure. Rectopexy secures the rectum in its anatomically correct position with stitches.
- Surgery to remove the rectum. An operation to remove the rectum may be an option for people with severe rectal ulcer signs and symptoms who haven't been helped by other treatments. The surgeon may connect the colon to an opening in the abdomen for waste to leave the body (colostomy). If you have a colostomy, a pouch or bag is then attached to your abdomen to collect waste.
- Kim DJ, et al. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 2, 2012.
- Edden Y, et al. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome and stercoral ulcers. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. 2009;38:541.
- Bulut T, et al. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome: Exploring possible management options. International Surgery. 2011;96:45.
- Constipation. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation/index.aspx. Accessed March 12, 2012.
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