Spontaneous rectal perforation in a patient with rectal prolapse: a case report

Abstract

For patients with rectal prolapse, mechanical bowel preparation, including cleansing enemas and oral laxatives, is often required during the perioperative period. This preparation serves two purposes: one is to perform colonoscopy to exclude intestinal polyps, tumors, and other intestinal lesions, and the other is to cleanse the bowel before surgery to facilitate smooth recovery after surgery. However, patients with rectal prolapse inherently have anatomical defects such as increased fragility of the intestinal wall, intestinal wall ischemia and thinning due to repeated prolapse, which pose a potential risk of spontaneous perforation. Rectal perforation is one of the most severe complications of rectal prolapse and requires emergency treatment. This article summarizes and reflects on the diagnosis and treatment of a case of spontaneous rectal perforation induced by mechanical bowel preparation in a patient with rectal prolapse, providing a warning and reference for colleagues.

Keywords

• rectal prolapse
• spontaneous rectal perforation
• mechanical bowel preparation