[Solitary ulcer of the rectum (author's transl)].

Solitary ulcer of the rectum is no longer considered as an idiopathic or autonomous disease. It is probably due to mucosal microtraumas, the most frequent being that resulting from anterior or complete rectal prolapse. Characteristic histopathological features can easily be recognized in biopsies taken from the edges or around the ulcers. This concept leads to a policy of consistent therapeutic measures: re-education of bowel habit and as a last resort surgery, either abdominal proctopexy or postanal pelvic floor repair.