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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 by making lifestyle changes to control chronic constipation. People with more severe signs and symptoms may require treatments such as behavior therapy and surgery.
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 and avoid straining 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.
Surgery
Surgical procedures used to treat rectal ulcer include:
- Surgery to remove the rectum. An operation to remove the rectum may be an option for people with severe rectal ulcer signs and symptoms. 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.
- Rectal prolapse surgery. If you have a rectal prolapse that's causing rectal ulcer, your doctor may recommend a rectopexy procedure. Rectopexy corrects rectal prolapse by using stitches to secure the rectum in its anatomically correct position.
- Nagar AB, et al. Ulcers of the small and large intestine. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/179165321-7/0/1389/0.html. Accessed Jan. 20, 2010.
- Felt-Bersma RJF, et al. Rectal prolapse, rectal intussusception, rectocele, solitary rectal ulcer syndrome and enterocele. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. 2008;37:645.
- Edden Y, et al. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome and stercoral ulcers. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. 2009;38:541.
- Rao SSC, et al. Pathophysiology and role of biofeedback therapy in solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2006;101:613.
- Bharucha AE. Update of tests of colon and rectal structure and function. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 2006;40:96.
- High-fiber nutrition therapy. ADA Nutrition Care Manual. http://nutritioncaremanual.org/vault/editor/Docs/High_FiberNutritionTherapy_FINAL.pdf. Accessed Jan. 26, 2010.
- Constipation. ADA Nutrition Care Manual. http://nutritioncaremanual.org/topic.cfm?ncm_heading=Nutrition%20Care&ncm_toc_id=145248. Accessed Jan. 26, 2010.
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