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. 2009 May 21:69–105. doi: 10.1016/B0-72-169052-1/50006-5

TABLE 4-4.

GRADES OF RECTAL PROLAPSE

TYPE DESCRIPTION COMMENTS
Type I Small, circular amount of submucosal swelling protrudes through anus; probing reveals a pocket or fornix just inside anus Good prognosis if there is no damage to mucosa; purse-string suture, iodine injection, submucosal resection
Type II Slightly more circular submucosal and mucosal swelling, possibly containing retroperitoneal rectal tissue from anus; probing reveals a pocket just inside anus Good prognosis if treated quickly and no mucosal damage; purse-string suture, iodine injection, submucosal resection, rectal amputation
Type III Complete prolapse containing part of the retroperitoneal structures of the rectum and the descending colon; probing reveals a fornix just inside anus; the affected portion of the descending colon does not prolapse through the anus If there is vascular injury to the descending colon, prognosis is guarded to poor; submucosal resection or rectal amputation are the methods of choice
Type IV The descending colon appears as a tube, and has intussuscepted through the rectum and anus; unlike the previous types, in this case a probe or finger can be inserted into the prolapse through the anal sphincter for a distance of 5 to 10 cm If there is vascular injury to the descending colon, prognosis is poor; abdominal exploration may be required to determine the extent of damage to the descending colon

From Hooper RN: General surgical techniques for small ruminants: Part II, Small Ruminants for the Mixed Animal Practitioner, Western Veterinary Conference, 1998, Las Vegas, NV.

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