Long-term follow-up of after STARR for obstructed defecation

Higher Symptom Score, Larger Residual Rectocele, and Lower Rectal Compliance Predict Failure of Improvement after Surgical Treatment of Rectocele

Background Rectocele is a frequent finding in women and is usually asymptomatic. However, it is sometimes associated with symptoms of obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS). While most patients with ODS due to rectocele respond well to conservative treatment, some may require surgical treatment. The aim of the study was to determine the predictors of failure of symptom improvement after rectocele repair.

Methods The study included adult women with rectocele who underwent surgical treatment by transperineal repair (TPR) or transvaginal repair (TVR). The preoperative and postoperative assessment was done using the Wexner constipation score, anorectal manometry, and defecography.

Results A total of 93 female patients with a mean age of 43.7 years were included. Among them, 65.6% of patients underwent TPR and 34.4% underwent TVR; 22 (23.7%) patients reported failure of significant improvement in ODS symptoms after surgery. The independent predictors of failure of improvement were higher preoperative Wexner score (odds ratio, OR: 1.4, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.09–1.84, p = 0.009), larger residual rectocele after repair (OR: 2.95, 95% CI: 1.43–6.08, p = 0.003), and lower postoperative maximum tolerable volume (OR: 0.949, 95% CI: 0.907–0.992, p = 0.02). The predictive cutoff point for the preoperative Wexner score was 15.

Conclusions Patients with a preoperative Wexner score higher than 15 and larger residual rectocele after surgery may experience little improvement in symptoms after rectocele repair. Although TPR was associated with a poorer relief of symptoms than did TVR; it was not an independent predictor of failure.

Functional Disorders: Rectocele

Rectoceles are a very common finding in patients, and symptoms most commonly include pelvic pain, pressure, or difficulty with passing stool. However, there are often other associated pelvic floor disorders that accompany rectoceles, making the clinical significance of it in an individual patient often hard to determine. When evaluating a patient with a rectocele, a thorough history and physical exam must be conducted to help delineate other causes of these symptoms. Treatment consists of addressing other defecatory disorders through various methods, with surgery reserved for select cases in which obstructed defecation is well documented.

Transanal surgery for obstructed defecation syndrome: Literature review and a single-center experience

Obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) is a functional disorder commonly encountered by colorectal surgeons and gastroenterologists, and greatly affects the quality of life of patients from both societal and psychological aspects. The underlying anatomical and pathophysiological changes of ODS are complex. However, intra-rectal intussusception and rectocele are frequently found in patients with ODS and both are thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of ODS. With the development of evaluation methods in anorectal physiology laboratories and radiology studies, a great variety of new operative procedures, especially transanal procedures, have been invented to treat ODS. However, no procedure has been proved to be superior to others at present. Each operation has its own merits and defects. Thus, choosing appropriate transanal surgical procedures for the treatment of ODS remains a challenge for all surgeons. This review provides an introduction of the current problems and options for treatment of ODS and a detailed summary of the essential assessments needed for patient evaluation before carrying out transanal surgery. Besides, an overview of the benefits and problems of current transanal surgical procedures for treatment of ODS is summarized in this review. A report of clinical experience of some transanal surgical techniques used in the authors' center is also presented.

Clinical and pelvic morphologic correlation after subtotal colectomy with colorectal anastomosis for combined slow-transit constipation and obstructive defecation

BACKGROUND

The treatment of slow-transit constipation combined with outlet obstruction is controversial. Subtotal colectomy with colorectal anastomosis is regarded as a safe and effective surgical option for refractory constipation.

PURPOSE

The clinical and morphologic outcomes of patients who underwent subtotal colectomy with colorectal anastomosis for refractory mixed constipation were prospectively evaluated.

DESIGN

This study is a nonrandomized, prospective review of gathered data.

SETTING

This investigation was conducted at a tertiary-care GI surgical center in China.

PATIENTS

The study prospectively included 42 consecutive patients with refractory constipation who were diagnosed with obstructed defecation syndrome combined with slow colon transit.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcomes measured were the Longo obstructive defecation syndrome score and the Wexner constipation scale. The pelvic morphologic changes were determined with defecography before surgery and at 6 and 24 months after surgery.

RESULTS

A significant reduction in the Wexner constipation score was observed between baseline (median 24) and 6 months (median 10), which was maintained until 24 months (median 8, compared with baseline, p < 0.01). Improvement in the constipation score was matched by an overall improvement in the Longo obstructive defecation syndrome score at the 6- and 24-month follow-up times (compared with baseline, p < 0.01). In 17 of 21 patients, preexisting intussusception was no longer visible during defecography. Rectoceles were significantly reduced in depth, from 36 mm to 8 mm (p < 0.01), whereas the number of detectable rectoceles was also significantly decreased, from 29 to 7 (p < 0.01). Incomplete evacuation disappeared in 28 of 38 patients. No stenosis was observed at the colorectal posterior side-to-side anastomosis. Most complications were managed conservatively without significant events.

LIMITATIONS

This study was performed in selected patients with constipation and did not include a comparison group.

CONCLUSIONS

Subtotal colectomy with colorectal anastomosis can correct pelvic anatomical disorders in patients with mixed refractory constipation. The clinical improvement of obstructed defecation syndrome after subtotal colectomy with colorectal anastomosis is highly correlated with the morphologic correction of the rectal redundancy.