Spontaneous rupture of the rectosigmoid with small-bowel evisceration through the anus. Report of a case and review of the literature.

A patient with spontaneous rupture of the rectum and evisceration of small bowel through the anus is presented. To the authors' knowledge, this paper represents the third reported case of this type of spontaneous rectal rupture. A discussion of the pathogenesis and treatment of this rather unique complication is presented. It is suggested that rectal or rectosigmoid rupture be considered a rare complication of rectal prolapse.