Transvaginal rectal repair: a new treatment option for symptomatic rectocele?

Transvaginal rectocoele repair for the surgical treatment of a "symptomatic" rectocoele when conservative measures fail: A 12 year experience of 215 patients

BACKGROUND

Conservative measures are first-line treatment for a "symptomatic" rectocoele, while surgery to correct the anatomical defect may be considered in selected cases. The standard repair offered in our trust is a native tissue transvaginal rectocoele repair (TVRR) combined with levatorplasty. The primary aim of the study was to conduct a retrospective study to assess the outcome of this procedure, while secondary aims were to assess whether specific characteristics and symptoms were associated with response to surgery.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of 215 patients who underwent TVRR in a single tertiary referral center between 2006 and 2018. In total, 97% of patients had symptoms of obstructive defecation syndrome (ODS) and 81% had a feeling of vaginal prolapse/bulge. We recorded in-hospital and 30 days post-operative complications and pre- and post-operative symptoms.

KEY RESULTS

The majority of patients selected for surgery had rectocoele above 4 cm or medium size with contrast trapping. Mean length of hospital stay was 3.2 days. The in-hospital complication rate was 11.2% with the most common complications being urinary retention (8.4%). Mean length of follow-up was 12.7 months (SD 13.9, range 1.4-71.5) with global improvement of symptoms reported in 87.9% cases. Feeling of vaginal bulge improved in 80% of patients while ODS-related symptoms improved in 58% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

The data suggest that TVRR might be a valid option in patients with rectocoele when conservative treatment has failed. Overall patient satisfaction is good, with improvement of ODS symptoms.

Early and late effects of the sequential transfixed stich technique for the treatment of the symptomatic rectocele without rectal mucosa prolapse

BACKGROUND

Different surgical techniques have been proposed for rectocele repair. However, controversial aspects exist on the best approach to use. The study aims to report the early and late outcomes of the sequential transfixed stich technique (STST) for the treatment of rectocele in the absence of mucosal prolapse.

METHODS

One hundred patients presenting a symptomatic rectocele were treated with STST from January 2010 through August 2015. Patients with mucosal prolapse were not considered eligible for STST. After a period of 24 months from surgery, all the patients were clinically evaluated with the intent to investigate the risk of recurrence of the preoperative symptoms.

RESULTS

All the patients were women (median age=54.7 years; ranges=37-75). Median discharge time was 1.5 days. One-month severe complications were: hemorrhoid thrombosis (6.0%), self-solved bleeding (6.0%), urinary retention (4.0%), anal secretion (4.0%) and urinary incontinence (1.0%). No post-operative cases of fecal incontinence were observed. Two years after surgery, 76.0% of patients reported a global improvement of the preoperative symptoms, with 73 and 35% of cases showing a reduced difficulty in the evacuation and need for digitation. Only 8.0% of patients showed a recurrence of the initial symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The STST is a feasible, safe, and cost-effective technique for the treatment of the rectocele without rectal mucosal prolapse. The method does not increase the risk of postoperative anal incontinence and presents a short hospital stay. STST presents long-term results in line with other transvaginal and transanal approaches.

Surgery for constipation: systematic review and practice recommendations: Results IV: Recto-vaginal reinforcement procedures

AIM

To assess the outcomes of recto-vaginal reinforcement procedures in adults with chronic constipation.

METHOD

Standardised methods and reporting of benefits and harms were used for all CapaCiTY reviews that closely adhered to PRISMA 2016 guidance. Main conclusions were presented as summary evidence statements with a summative Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (2009) level.

RESULTS

Forty-three articles were identified, providing data on outcomes in 3346 patients. Average length of procedures ranged between 20 and 169 min, and length of stay between 1 and 15 days. Complications typically occurred after 7-17% of procedures (range 0-61%). Post-operative bleeding was uncommon (0-4%) as well as haematoma or sepsis (0-2%). Fistulation did not occur in most studies. Two procedure-related deaths were observed for 3209 patients. Although inconsistent, 78% of patients reported a satisfactory or good outcome, with 30-50% experiencing reduced symptoms of straining, incomplete emptying or reduced vaginal digitation. About 17% of patients developed anatomical recurrence. Considering measures of harm and global satisfaction rating scales, there was insufficient evidence to prefer one type of procedure over another. There was no evidence to support better outcomes based on selection of patients with a particular size or grade of rectocoele.

CONCLUSION

Evidence supporting recto-vaginal reinforcement procedures is currently derived from observational studies and comparisons, with only one high quality study. Large trials are needed to inform future clinical decision making.

Posterior pelvic floor disorders and obstructed defecation syndrome: clinical and therapeutic approach

There are no clear recommended imaging guidelines for the assessment of patients presenting primarily with obstructed defecation syndrome and defecation difficulty. The gold standard has always been the defecating proctogram which may require a rather poorly tolerated extended technique involving high-radiation exposure in young women which includes cystography, vaginography, small bowel opacification, and occasional peritoneography. The development of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging has obviated many of these extended techniques and may be supplemented by novel ultrasonographic methods including dynamic transperineal sonography, real-time 3D translabial ultrasound and 3D dynamic echodefecography. Patients potentially suitable for surgical treatment display a multiplicity of pelvic floor and perineal soft-tissue anomalies where one pathology (such as rectocele or enterocele) are considered dominant. Despite the introduction of recent stapled and robotic technologies, there is a dual dialog concerning the functional outcome of these procedures. Imaging and surgical algorithms for these patients are provided.

Correlation of POP-Q posterior compartment measures with defecatory dysfunction

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The relationships of Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) items pb and Bp with defecatory dysfunction were evaluated with the hypothesis that increased values for both items would correlate with symptoms of stool trapping.

METHODS

Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) results and POP-Q exams from 1,663 urogynecology patients were compiled in a database. Rectocele was defined as POP-Q point Bp > -0.5 and perineocele as pb >3. PFDI-20 questions were used to compare defecatory symptoms and bother in women with and without rectocele and perineocele.

RESULTS

While perineocele was not associated with symptoms or bother, women with isolated rectoceles had higher rates of splinting (p < 0.001) and incomplete evacuation (p = 0.001) and higher bother scores (p < 0.001) than those with neither rectocele nor perineocele.

CONCLUSIONS

The POP-Q Bp point, but not the pb measurement, correlates with symptoms of defecatory dysfunction.

Long-term results of stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) for obstructive defecation syndrome

BACKGROUND

Rectocele and distal rectal intussusception are organic causes of obstructive defecation syndrome and can be corrected surgically once conservative treatment remedies have been exhausted. Stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) procedure was introduced as a new treatment approach. This study presents the first long-term results of this procedure. PATIENTS AND PROCEDURES: A STARR procedure was performed in 14 patients (two male, 12 female, age 53 ± 12 years) between January 2003 and August 2005. The indication for surgery was a severe, conservatively treated stool evacuation disorder secondary to symptomatic rectocele and/or distal intussusception.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 68 ± 10 (49-83) months. The defecation score (0-20 points) decreased from a preoperative 13.4 ± 3.4 to 3.2 ± 2.0 after 3 months and increased slightly to 4.7 ± 3.4 by the time of the final examination. In 12 patients (85.7%), the obstructive defecation syndrome was significantly improved. These positive results were also maintained in the long-term. Five patients (38.5%) reported a slight worsening of continence in terms of urge incontinence. The most affected patients were those with preoperative normal continence. Procedure-related anal reoperations were required in two patients (14.3%).

CONCLUSION

Even in long-term, transanal rectal wall resection seems to be an effective therapy for obstructive defecation syndrome. However, it is associated with a substantial number of reoperations and in some patients with persistent urge incontinence.