The digital rectal examination (DRE, Latin palpatio per anum or PPA) is a relatively simple procedure. The patient is placed in a position where the anus is accessible and relaxed (lying on the side, squatting on the examination table, bent over the examination table, etc). The physician inserts a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum through the anus and palpates the insides for approximately 60 seconds.
The DRE is inadequate as a screening tool for colorectal cancer because it examines less than 10% of the colorectal mucosa; colonoscopy is preferred. However, it's an important part of a general examination, as many tumors or other diseases are made manifest in the distal part of the rectum.
This examination may be used:
for the diagnosis of rectal tumors and other forms of cancer;
in males, for the diagnosis of prostatic disorders, notably tumors and benign prostatic hyperplasia;
for the diagnosis of appendicitis or other examples of an acute abdomen (i.e. acute abdominal symptoms indicating a serious underlying disease);
for the estimation of the tonicity of the anal sphincter, which may be useful in case of fecal incontinence or neurologic diseases, including traumatic spinal cord injuries;
in females, for gynecological palpations of internal organs
for examination of the hardness and color of the feces (ie. in cases of constipation, and fecal impaction);
prior to a colonoscopy or proctoscopy.
to evaluate haemorrhoids