US Man’s Colon Falls Out of Body After Forceful Sneeze; Surgeons Quickly Reinsert

US Man’s Colon Falls Out of Body After Forceful Sneeze; Surgeons Quickly Reinsert

Keywords: Colon Prolapse, Sneeze, Proctocolectomy

A 62-year-old man in the United States has undergone shocking surgery to have his colon reattached to his body after it protruded an astonishing 25 centimeters outside of his rectum following a forceful sneeze.

The patient, who has not been identified, reported experiencing intense abdominal pain after the powerful sneeze. Upon examination, doctors discovered that a significant portion of his colon had protruded through his anus.

Dr. Jeffrey Ponsky, a colorectal surgeon at Penn State Health, explained that this condition, known as a rectal prolapse or colon prolapse, is extremely rare. It occurs when the muscles supporting the rectum weaken, allowing the colon to descend and protrude outside the body.

“The anatomy of the rectum is such that it depends on the muscles that control the bowel,” Dr. Ponsky said. “When they weaken or tear, the rectum can no longer hold the colon in place.”

The man underwent an emergency proctocolectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the prolapsed colon and rectum and create a new outlet for the intestines. The surgery was successful, and the man is now recovering in the hospital.

According to Dr. Ponsky, rectal prolapses are most commonly associated with childbirth, chronic constipation, and aging. However, it is possible for a prolapse to occur due to a sudden increase in abdominal pressure, such as that experienced during a forceful sneeze.

“It’s a very unusual presentation,” Dr. Ponsky said. “It’s certainly not something that we see very often.”

The patient is expected to make a full recovery. However, he will need to follow up with his doctor regularly to monitor for any complications.