A retrospective study on the management of rectal bleeding

This paper reports on a retrospective study of 70 patients who were admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with rectal bleeding. The study demonstrates several points; first, that there are two distinct groups of patients. The majority of patients had minor bleeds that ceased spontaneously. The remaining group of patients (12%) had what could be described as massive rectal bleeds. There was also noted to be a significant number of patients (21%) who were discharged with no final diagnosis. The utilization of investigations such as angiography and nuclear medicine scans was minimal. The paper concludes that there is a need to establish a protocol for the management of rectal bleeding and, if diagnostic yield is to be satisfactory, energetic attempts must be made to commence investigations at presentation, as soon as resuscitative measures are in progress.