Rectal prolapse in pregnancy: a case report

Abstract

Rectal prolapse occurs when a mucosal or full thickness layer of rectal tissue slides
through the anal orifice. It is relatively infrequent and occurs commonly in elderly
women. This report is to bring to focus the possibility of a rectal prolapse being
misdiagnosed as haemorrhoids in pregnancy. A case of a 35-year-old woman, gravida
4, para 3+0, found to have a large rectal prolapse but misdiagnosed as prolapsed
haemorrhoids at 34 weeks gestation is reported. Although rectal prolapse is not a
common condition during childbearing years, it is instructive for obstetricians and
midwives to be vigilant in all cases of pregnant women presenting with rectal protrusion
or bleeding.

Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Research Vol. 4 (1) 2005: pp. 92-93