Internal rectal intussusception seldom develops into total rectal prolapse.

Abstract

This study was designed to analyze how often internal rectal intussusception develops into total rectal prolapse. Repeated investigations with defecography were performed in 312 patients because of persisting symptoms. In 79 patients who had a rectal intussusception at the first defecography, results of the second defecography and the patients' records were studied. A total of 38 patients had not undergone any surgical treatment of rectal intussusception or rectal prolapse between the first and second defecographies. One of these patients had a rectal prolapse at the second defecography, and another developed a clinical prolapse after the second defecography. The present study demonstrates that the risk of developing a rectal prolapse in patients with rectal intussusception is small. This risk should, therefore, not be used as an indication for surgery.