Pediatric Rectal Prolapse Medication

  • Author: Jaime Shalkow, MD; Chief Editor: Carmen Cuffari, MD   more...
 
Updated: Dec 7, 2011
 

Medication Summary

There is no specific medical treatment for rectal prolapse. Stool softeners can be used to help decrease bowel movement straining caused by constipation.

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Stool softeners

Class Summary

In addition to dietary modification, stool softeners help to decrease bowel movement straining secondary to constipation.

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Polyethylene glycol solution (Miralax, Dulcolax Balance)

 

Polyethylene glycol is an osmotic stool softener used for treatment of occasional constipation. In theory, there is less risk of dehydration or electrolyte imbalance with isotonic polyethylene glycol than with hypertonic sugar solutions. A laxative effect is generated because polyethylene glycol is not absorbed and continues to hold water by osmotic action through the small bowel and colon, resulting in mechanical cleansing.

Polyethylene glycol is supplied with a measuring cap marked to contain 17 g of laxative powder when filled to the indicated line. It may require 2-4 days (48-96 hours) to produce bowel movement.

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Mineral oil (Fleet Mineral Oil Enema, Kondrumul)

 

Mineral oil lubricates the intestine and facilitates the passage of stool by decreasing water absorption from the intestine.

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Lactulose (Enulose, Generlac, Kristalose, Constulose)

 

Lactulose is an osmotic agent and ammonium detoxifying agent. It produces an osmotic effect in the colon that results in distention and promotes peristalsis.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Jaime Shalkow, MD  Head of Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery, National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico; Head-Professor of Pediatric Surgical Oncology, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico

Jaime Shalkow, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, International Society of Pediatric Surgical Oncology, Mexican Association of Pediatric Surgery, Mexican Association of Pediatrics, Mexican Society of Oncology, and Pacific Association of Pediatric Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Brian F Gilchrist, MD  Surgeon-in-Chief of Pediatric Surgery, The Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts-New England Medical Center; Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Tufts University School of Medicine

Brian F Gilchrist, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Pediatric Surgical Association, and Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jose Ignacio Guzman, MD  Medical Staff, Medical and Surgical Patient Care, General Hospital of Mexico; Medical Staff, Pediatric Surgical Oncology, National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Carmen Cuffari, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology/Nutrition, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Carmen Cuffari, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Robert Baldassano, MD Director, Center for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Robert Baldassano, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Gastroenterological Association, and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Deborah F Billmire, MD Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Indiana University Medical Center

Deborah F Billmire, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons, American Pediatric Surgical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society of Critical Care Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Rebeccah Brown, MD Associate Director of Trauma Services, Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Surgery and Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati Hospital

Rebeccah Brown, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, and American Medical Women's Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Frank Cunningham, Jr, MD, FAAP, FACEP Director, Division of Emergency Pediatrics, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Frank Cunningham, Jr, MD, FAAP, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Joel A Friedlander, DO, MBe Instructor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Fellow, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Joel A Friedlander, DO, MBe is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Leon M Garner, DO, MPH Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, North Broward Medical Center

Leon M Garner, DO, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, and American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Harsh Grewal, MD, FACS, FAAP Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics, Temple University School of Medicine; Chief, Section of Pediatric Surgery, Temple University School of Medicine

Harsh Grewal, MD, FACS, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons, American Pediatric Surgical Association, Association for Surgical Education, Children's Oncology Group, Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, International Pediatric Endosurgery Group, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, and SouthwesternSurgical Congress

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Marc S Lessin, MD Consulting Surgeon, Children's Surgical Associates, PC

Marc S Lessin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons and American Pediatric Surgical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

B UK Li, MD Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Director, Pediatric Fellowships and Gastroenterology Fellowship, Medical Director, Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and Cyclic Vomiting Program, Medical College of Wisconsin; Attending Gastroenterologist, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin

B UK Li, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Gastroenterological Association, and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Maria Rebello Mascarenhas, MBBS Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Section Chief of Nutrition, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Director, Nutrition Support Service, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Maria Rebello Mascarenhas, MBBS is a member of the following medical societies: American Gastroenterological Association, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Image of young patient with full-thickness rectal prolapse with multiple circular folds seen on exposed mucosa.
Photograph of severe rectal prolapse with clinically significant edema and mucosal ulceration.
Picture of infant with full-thickness rectal prolapse. Severe edema and abundant mucus are seen on mucosal surface.
Levator ani muscle is shown in red. It includes ileococcygeus (stretches during defecation and labor), pubococcygeus (maintains integrity of pelvic floor), and puborectalis (closes anorectal canal as sling) muscles.
Deep, superficial, and subcutaneous external sphincter.
Anatomy of internal and external anal sphincter mechanisms.
Image demonstrates mucosal prolapse, with radial folds seen on mucosa.
Diagram depicting clinical difference between true (full-thickness) prolapse (left), including all layers of rectum and with circular folds seen on prolapsed intestine, and procidentia, or mucosa-only prolapse (right), in which radial folds are seen in mucosa.
Thiersch procedure. Perianal subcutaneous sutures create mechanical barrier for prolapse.
Lomas and Cooperman modified Thiersch procedure by performing right anterior and left posterior radial incisions, encircling anus with Marlex mesh stripe, and tying it around finger placed on anal canal. Care must be taken to avoid perforating posterior vaginal wall or anterior rectal wall. Skin is closed, with mesh left subcutaneously.
Ripstein procedure is designed to maintain normal posterior rectal curvature by attaching it to presacral fascia, thus avoiding straight tube that intussuscepts during straining. (A) Rectum is mobilized down to coccyx. (B) Marlex mesh is placed around rectum while this is tensed upward and sutured to presacral fascia with nonabsorbable material. Mesh loop must be loose enough to prevent postoperative constipation. (C) Sagittal view shows suspended rectum. (D) Peritoneum is closed with a continuous absorbable suture.
Intraoperative photograph of 12-year-old girl with recurrent rectal prolapse and mucosal ulceration with profuse bleeding. She had long sigmoid colon, which was resected; end-to-end anastomosis was performed. This photograph depicts anastomosed rectum fixed to presacral fascia with mesh. Nonabsorbable sutures retain mesh to serosa. Note that mesh is slightly loose to allow for child's growth. Uterus and its ligaments can be seen in front of rectum. Iliac vessels remain intact on each side.
Ivalon sponge procedure. (A) Rectum is mobilized. Meticulous hemostasis is mandatory to prevent hematoma that predisposes patient to prosthetic material infection. (B) Ivalon rectangular sponge made of polyvinyl alcohol is sutured to sacral periosteum. (C) Rectum is retracted upward, and sponge is wrapped around it and tied to anterior surface. Portion of anterior rectal wall is left free to prevent luminal obliteration. (D) Peritoneum is closed with continuous absorbable suture.
 
 
 
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