Emergent Rectal Prolapse Admissions Carry Higher Risk

Nearly one in four rectal prolapse admissions in the US is emergent, and these patients fare worse.

• Of 7,555 adults admitted with rectal prolapse, 22.2% were emergent admissions.
• Emergent admissions had longer stays, higher in-hospital mortality, and fewer discharges home, and surgery was less common in this group.
• Older age, Medicaid, Medicare, self-pay status, homelessness, substance use disorder, dementia, and higher comorbidity burden were linked to emergent admission.

The data cover inpatient stays only and rely on billing codes, so they show association, not cause. Still, the findings support earlier elective referral and multidisciplinary planning for high-risk patients before they reach the emergency department.