Reduction of a large incarcerated rectal prolapse by use of an elastic compression wrap

Abstract

Reduction of a large rectal prolapse may be difficult because of significant edema that collects in the rectal tissues. If reduction is unsuccessful, an emergent laparotomy and internal reduction is required. A wide elastic wrap applied around the prolapsed rectum provides progressive compression, which reduces the amount of edema, allowing subsequent manual reduction. This novel technique is simple, safe, inexpensive, and can easily be performed in the emergency department setting. Manual reduction, by this or other described methods, should be attempted before emergent laparotomy for incarcerated rectal prolapse is performed.