Comparative Study Between Trans-perineal Repair With or Without Limited Internal Sphincterotomy in the Treatment of Type I Anterior Rectocele: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Literature review of the outcome of and methods used to improve transperineal repair of rectocele

BACKGROUND

Rectocele is commonly seen in parous women and sometimes associated with symptoms of obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS).

AIM

To assess the current literature in regard to the outcome of the classical transperineal repair (TPR) of rectocele and its technical modifications.

METHODS

An organized literature search for studies that assessed the outcome of TPR of rectocele was performed. PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar were queried in the period of January 1991 through December 2020. The main outcome measures were improvement in ODS symptoms, improvement in sexual functions and continence, changes in manometric parameters, and quality of life.

RESULTS

After screening of 306 studies, 24 articles were found eligible for inclusion to the review. Nine studies (301 patients) assessed the classical TPR of rectocele. The median rate of postoperative improvement in ODS symptoms was 72.7% (range, 45.8%-83.3%) and reduction in rectocele size ranged from 41.4%-95.0%. Modifications of the classical repair entailed omission of levatorplasty, addition of implant, concomitant lateral internal sphincterotomy, changing the direction of plication of rectovaginal septum, and site-specific repair.

CONCLUSION

The transperineal repair of rectocele is associated with satisfactory, yet variable, improvement in ODS symptoms with parallel increase in quality-of-life score. Several modifications of the classical TPR were described. These modifications include omission of levatorplasty, insertion of implants, performing lateral sphincterotomy, changing the direction of classical plication, and site-specific repair. The indications for these modifications are not yet fully clear and need further prospective studies to help tailor the technique to rectocele patients.

Laparoscopic Ventral Mesh Rectopexy Versus Transvaginal Posterior Colporrhaphy in Management of Anterior Rectocele

BACKGROUND

Management of rectocele is challenging. Treatment usually starts with conservative measures and may involve surgical intervention in non-responding patients. We compared the outcomes of transvaginal posterior colporrhaphy (PC) and laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy (LVMR) in treatment of anterior rectocele.

METHODS

Patients with anterior rectocele who underwent PC or LVMR were functionally assessed using Cleveland Clinic Constipation Score (CCCS) and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12). Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System (POP-Q) was used for clinical assessment, defecography for anatomic assessment, and manometry for physiologic assessment. In addition, quality of life was assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 231 female patients with a mean age of 39 years were included to the study. One hundred fifty-nine underwent PC and 72 underwent LVMR. The LVMR group showed significantly a better functional outcome as compared with the PC group (p < 0.0001). The mean of CCCS at 1 year after LVMR was 6 ± 2.3 vs 9.2 ± 1.2 after PC. The mean of PISQ-12 at 1 year after LVMR was 39.3 ± 2.8 vs 35.8 ± 2.2 after PC. LVMR showed better anatomic correction by defecography, had significantly higher quality of life scores, and had a longer operative time as compared with PC, yet with comparable incidence of complications.

CONCLUSION

PC and LVMR are both effective treatment options for treatment of rectocele. LVMR was associated with better anatomic correction and greater improvement in constipation, sexual symptoms, and quality of life compared with PC. Although LVMR had a longer operation time than PC, the complication rate of the two procedures was comparable.

Therapeutic effects of the TST36 stapler on rectocele combined with internal rectal prolapse

BACKGROUND

The most common causes of outlet obstructive constipation (OOC) are rectocele and internal rectal prolapse. The surgical methods for OOC are diverse and difficult, and the postoperative complications and recurrence rate are high, which results in both physical and mental pain in patients. With the continuous deepening of the surgeon's concept of minimally invasive surgery and continuous in-depth research on the mechanism of OOC, the treatment concepts and surgical methods are continuously improved.

AIM

To determine the efficacy of the TST36 stapler in the treatment of rectocele combined with internal rectal prolapse.

METHODS

From January 2017 to July 2019, 49 female patients with rectocele and internal rectal prolapse who met the inclusion criteria were selected for treatment using the TST36 stapler.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients were cured, 4 patients improved, and the cure rate was 92%. The postoperative obstructed defecation syndrome score, the defecation frequency score, time/straining intensity, and sensation of incomplete evacuation were significantly decreased compared with these parameters before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The postoperative anal canal resting pressure and maximum squeeze pressure in patients decreased compared with before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The initial and maximum defecation thresholds after surgery were significantly lower than those before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The postoperative ratings of rectocele, resting phase, and defecation phase in these patients were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The TST36 stapler is safe and effective in treating rectocele combined with internal rectal prolapse and is worth promoting in clinical work.

Horizontal versus vertical plication of the rectovaginal septum in transperineal repair of anterior rectocele: a pilot randomized clinical trial

AIM

Anterior rectocele is usually an asymptomatic condition in many women, yet it can be associated with obstructed defaecation syndrome (ODS). Transperineal repair of rectocele (TPR) has been followed by variable rates of improvement in ODS. The present pilot randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the outcome of TPR with vertical plication (VP) of the rectovaginal septum compared to horizontal plication (HP).

METHODS

Adult women with anterior rectocele were recruited to the study and were randomly allocated to one of two equal groups. The first group underwent TPR with VP of the rectovaginal septum and the second group underwent TPR with HP. The main outcome measures were improvement in ODS, recurrence of rectocele, complications and dyspareunia.

RESULTS

The trial included 40 female patients with anterior rectocele. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the postoperative Wexner score. Complete cure and significant improvement in ODS symptoms were comparable after the two techniques. The reduction in rectocele size after HP was significantly greater than after VP (1.7 vs. 2.6, P < 0.0001). Significant improvement in dyspareunia was recorded after HP (P = 0.001) but not after VP (P = 0.1). There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to operating time, complications and recurrence.

CONCLUSION

VP and HP of the rectovaginal septum in TPR were associated with a comparable improvement in ODS symptoms and similar complication rates. HP was followed by a greater reduction in the rectocele size and greater improvement in dyspareunia than VP.

Tools for fecal incontinence assessment: lessons for inflammatory bowel disease trials based on a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Fecal incontinence is a disabling condition affecting up to 20% of women.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated fecal incontinence assessment in both inflammatory bowel disease and non-inflammatory bowel disease patients to propose a diagnostic approach for inflammatory bowel disease trials.

METHODS

We searched on Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane Library for all studies on adult inflammatory bowel disease and non-inflammatory bowel disease patients reporting data on fecal incontinence assessment from January 2009 to December 2019.

RESULTS

In total, 328 studies were included; 306 studies enrolled non-inflammatory bowel disease patients and 22 studies enrolled inflammatory bowel disease patients. In non-inflammatory bowel disease trials the most used tools were the Wexner score, fecal incontinence quality of life questionnaire, Vaizey score and fecal incontinence severity index (in 187, 91, 62 and 33 studies). Anal manometry was adopted in 41.2% and endoanal ultrasonography in 34.0% of the studies. In 142 studies (46.4%) fecal incontinence evaluation was performed with a single instrument, while in 64 (20.9%) and 100 (32.7%) studies two or more instruments were used. In inflammatory bowel disease studies the Wexner score, Vaizey score and inflammatory bowel disease quality of life questionnaire were the most commonly adopted tools (in five (22.7%), five (22.7%) and four (18.2%) studies). Anal manometry and endoanal ultrasonography were performed in 45.4% and 18.2% of the studies.

CONCLUSION

Based on prior validation and experience, we propose to use the Wexner score as the first step for fecal incontinence assessment in inflammatory bowel disease trials. Anal manometry and/or endoanal ultrasonography should be taken into account in the case of positive questionnaires.

Utility of the Mansoura Numeroalphabetic Constipation Score in detection of obstructed defaecation syndrome and prediction of the outcome of treatment

AIM

Thorough assessment of obstructed defaecation syndrome (ODS) is imperative for the selection of treatment options. The present study aimed to examine the utility of the Mansoura Numeroalphabetic Constipation Score (MNCS) in distinguishing patients with ODS from healthy control subjects and in predicting the outcome of treatment of ODS.

METHODS

Patients with ODS associated with anterior rectocele and/or rectoanal intussusception were assessed with the MNCS at the first visit to the clinic. All patients were offered conservative treatment for 3 months and patients who improved were continued on conservative treatment for six more months while patients who failed were treated surgically. The MNCS was reassessed at the end of follow-up in both groups. A cohort of healthy controls was compared to ODS patients with regard to age, sex and baseline MNCS.

RESULTS

In all, 124 ODS patients and 53 healthy controls were included. The ODS patients had a significantly higher baseline MNCS than controls (9.5 ± 1.5 vs 0.76 ± 0.71, P < 0.0001). Forty of 124 patients improved after conservative management and showed a significant decrease in MNCS (6.9 ± 1.08 to 3.1 ± 1.2, P < 0.0001). Eighty-four (67.8%) patients failed to respond to conservative measures and were surgically treated, 77 (91.6%) of whom showed significant improvement in symptoms postoperatively while seven (8.4%) failed to improve; the difference in postoperative MNCS between the two groups was significant.

CONCLUSION

The MNCS successfully distinguished ODS patients from controls and was able to predict the outcome of ODS treatment.

Specific Changes in Manometric Parameters are Associated with Non-improvement in Symptoms after Rectocele Repair

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The present study aimed to assess the changes in manometric parameters after transperineal repair (TPR) of rectocele and interpret failure of symptom improvement in light of these changes.

METHODS

This was an observational cohort study on patients with anterior rectocele who underwent TPR in the period of February 2016 to February 2019. Data collected included patients' demographics, rectocele size, Wexner constipation and incontinence scores, anal pressures, and rectal sensation before and 12 months after TPR. Analysis of data was done by paired t-test and chi-square test.

RESULTS

Forty-six female patients with a mean age of 43.2 ± 10.7 years were included. After a mean follow-up of 13.9 ± 2.7 months, 30 (65.2%) patients reported clinical improvement and 16 (34.8%) had no significant improvement. At 12 months after rectocele repair, the entire cohort studied showed an insignificant increase in the mean anal pressures and a significant decrease in the thresholds of first rectal sensation, first urge, intense urge, and maximum tolerable volume (MTV). Patients who clinically improved showed similar physiologic changes to the entire cohort examined, whereas patients who had no clinical improvement showed significant increases in the mean anal pressures and insignificant decreases in rectal sensation and MTV.

CONCLUSION

Patients who showed clinical improvement showed insignificant increases in anal pressures and significant decreases in thresholds of first rectal sensation, first urge, intense urge, and MTV. Contrarily, patients who did not show clinical improvement showed significant increases in anal pressures and insignificant reduction in sensory thresholds.

Functional Outcome and Sexual-Related Quality of Life After Transperineal Versus Transvaginal Repair of Anterior Rectocele: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Methods of treatment of rectocele include transperineal, transvaginal, and transanal approaches and ventral rectopexy.

OBJECTIVE

The present randomized study aimed to compare the outcome of transperineal repair and transvaginal repair of anterior rectocele.

DESIGN

This is a randomized, single-blinded clinical trial.

SETTING

This study was conducted at the Colorectal Surgery Unit, Mansoura University Hospitals.

PATIENTS

Adult female patients with anterior rectocele reporting obstructed defecation syndrome were selected.

INTERVENTIONS

Anterior rectocele was surgically treated via a transperineal or transvaginal approach.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Improvement in constipation, operation time, hospital stay, complications, changes in anal pressures, and improvement in sexual-related quality of life was assessed by use of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire, and the incidence of dyspareunia postoperatively was assessed.

RESULTS

Sixty-four female patients of a mean age of 43.5 years were entered into the trial. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups regarding the operation time. Patients undergoing transperineal repair had significantly longer hospital stays than those undergoing transvaginal repair (2.4 vs 2.1 days, p = 0.03). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups regarding postoperative complications and recurrence of rectocele. Significant decrease in the constipation scores was recorded in both groups at 6 and 12 months after surgery. The decrease in the constipation scores after transvaginal repair was significantly higher than after transperineal repair at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Although resting and squeeze anal pressures were significantly increased at 12 months after transperineal repair, they did not show significant change after transvaginal repair. Improvement in sexual-related quality of life was significantly higher in the transvaginal repair group than in the transperineal repair group at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Dyspareunia improved after transvaginal repair and worsened after transperineal repair, yet this change was insignificant.

LIMITATIONS

This was a single-center study comprising a relatively small number of patients.

CONCLUSION

Transvaginal repair of rectocele achieved better improvement in constipation and sexual-related quality of life than transperineal repair. Changes in dyspareunia after both techniques were not significant. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B148.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03801291. RESULTADO FUNCIONAL Y CALIDAD DE VIDA RELACIONADA CON EL SEXO DESPUÉS DE LA REPARACIÓN TRANSPERINEAL VERSUS TRANSVAGINAL DEL RECTOCELE ANTERIOR: UN ENSAYO CLÍNICO ALEATORIZADO: Los métodos de tratamiento del rectocele incluyen los abordajes transperineal, transvaginal y transanal y la rectopexia ventral.El objetivo del presente estudio aleatorizado fue comparar el resultado de la reparación transperineal y la reparación transvaginal del rectocele anterior.Ensayo clínico aleatorizado, simple ciego.Unidad de Cirugía Colorrectal, Hospital Universitario de Mansoura.Pacientes mujeres adultas con rectocele anterior que se quejan de síndrome de defecación obstruida.Tratamiento quirúrgico del rectocele anterior mediante abordaje transperineal o transvaginal.Mejora en el estreñimiento, tiempo de operación, estancia hospitalaria, complicaciones, cambios en la presión anal, mejoría en la calidad de vida relacionada con el sexo evaluada por el cuestionario PISQ-12 e incidencia de dispareunia postoperatoria.Sesenta y cuatro pacientes de sexo femenino de una edad media de 43.5 años ingresaron al ensayo. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los dos grupos con respecto al tiempo de operación. La reparación transperineal tuvo una estancia hospitalaria significativamente más prolongada que la reparación transvaginal (2.4 Vs 2.1 días, p = 0.03). No hubo diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos con respecto a las complicaciones postoperatorias y la recurrencia del rectocele. Se registró una disminución significativa en las puntuaciones de estreñimiento en ambos grupos a los 6 y 12 meses después de la cirugía. La disminución en las puntuaciones de estreñimiento después de la reparación transvaginal fue significativamente mayor que después de la reparación transperineal a los 6 y 12 meses después de la operación. Aunque las presiones anales de reposo y compresión aumentaron significativamente a los 12 meses después de la reparación transperineal, no mostraron cambios significativos después de la reparación transvaginal. La mejora en la calidad de vida relacionada con el sexo fue significativamente mayor en la reparación transvaginal que en el grupo de reparación transperineal a los 6 y 12 meses después de la cirugía. La dispareunia mejoró después de la reparación transvaginal y empeoró después de la reparación transperineal, sin embargo, este cambio fue insignificante.Estudio de un solo centro que comprende un número relativamente pequeño de pacientes.La reparación transvaginal del rectocele logró una mejoría en el estreñimiento y la calidad de vida relacionada con el sexo que la reparación transperineal. Los cambios en la dispareunia después de ambas técnicas no fueron significativos. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B148.Ensayos clínicos. Identificador del gobierno: NCT03801291.

Stapled transanal rectal resection for the treatment of rectocele associated with obstructed defecation syndrome: a large series of 262 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND

This study aims to investigate functional results and recurrence rate after stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) for rectocele associated with obstructive defection syndrome (ODS).

METHODS

A study was conducted on patients with ODS symptoms associated with symptomatic rectocele ≥ 3 cm on dynamic defecography who had STARR at our institution between 01/2007 and 12/2015. Data were prospectively collected and analyzed. ODS was evaluated using the Wexner constipation score. Primary outcomes were functional results, determined by the improvement in 6-month postoperative Wexner constipation score, and 1-year recurrence. Secondary outcomes were operative time, time to return to work, pain intensity measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS), patient satisfaction, and overall postoperative morbidity and mortality at 30 days.

RESULTS

Two-hundred-sixty-two consecutive female patients [median age 54 years (range 20-78)] were enrolled in the study. The median duration of follow-up was 79 months (range 30-138). Sixty (23%) patients experienced postoperative complications, but only 9 patients required reinterventions for surgical hemostasis (n = 7), fecal diversion for anastomotic leakage (n = 1), and recto-vaginal fistula repair (n = 1). Only 1 intraoperative complication (stapler misfire) was reported, and there were no deaths. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.001) reduction in the median (range) Wexner constipation score from 19 (14-24) preoperatively to 9 (5-15) 6 months postoperatively. Only 10 (4%) patients experienced recurrence and only 3 of them required additional reintervention. Patient satisfaction at 1 year was excellent in 86%, good in 13%, and poor in 1% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

STARR is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive technique for the treatment of rectocele associated with ODS.