ABSTRACT
The term ‘rectal prolapse’, if unspecified, generally gives the connotation of a clinical condition where the full thickness of the bowel wall is extruded beyond the anal verge. There is, however, recognition that the broad term encompasses several anatomical variants that may have a similar end presentation. There is a much higher incidence of rectal prolapse in women than in men. The incidence of prolapse increases with age. Interestingly, rectal prolapse is not restricted to the multiparous, and indeed in some studies of rectal prolapse, around one third of women are nulliparous. Internal rectal prolapse is a common condition and is being recognised more frequently with greater availability of proctography. There is controversy over phenomenon of intussusception, and its significance must be assessed on a background of symptoms, clinical examination findings, the degree of intussusception and other manifestations of pelvic floor dysfunction. As consequence, there are few accurate data for the incidence of internal rectal prolapse in the general population.
