Rectal Examination

ABNORMAL SIGNS

Inspection

• haemorrhoids
• fissures
• papillomas
• prolapse

Palpation

• sphincter tone
• prostate or cervix
• blood, malena, pus, mucus

ABNORMAL SIGNS IN TRAUMA

• absent anal tone (cord lesion)
• palpable sphincter rupture
• displaced (high riding) prostate (ruptured urethra)
• high tenderness anteriorly (ruptured viscus)
• pelvic haematoma (pelvic fracture)
• bony disruption (sacro-coccygeal/pelvic fracture)
• visible external lacerations/bleeding