Stricture of the rectum, excluding neoplastic stenosis, is not a disease entity but is the result of a congenital malformation, or of an infection, inflammation, irritation or trauma (either mechanical or surgical). In form, strictures are annular, tubular or valvular.
ETIOLOGY
Broadly speaking, all strictures are congenital, traumatic or inflammatory.
Congenital Strictures.
—These occur at the junction of the anus and rectum, and are due to imperfect or incomplete absorption of the anal membrane. As a rule, they are recognized early, and then methodical dilatation usually effects a cure. A partial membrane may persist, requiring surgical removal, or ulceration may occur above it, causing a true fibrous stricture.
Assigned Causes of Traumatic Stricture.
—These are pressure of the fetal head in prolonged labor, foreign bodies (enteroliths), unskilled instrumentation and operations for hemorrhoids, fistula and resection.I have seen no instances in which pressure of the fetal head has caused a