J Korean Soc Coloproctol.  2004 Apr;20(2):86-92.

Comparison of Rectoanal Physiologic Changes and Treatment Results between Transanal Repair and Transanal Repair with Posterior Colporrhaphy in Patients with Rectocele

• Kim JH
• Kwon YM
• Lee YP

Abstract

PURPOSE: Rectoceles are often associated with anorectal symptoms. Various surgical techniques have been described to repair rectoceles, but the surgical results vary. The aim of this study was to compare transanal repair (TAR) and transanal repair with posterior colporrhaphy (TAR+PC).
METHODS
The records of 58 patients operated on during a 56-month period were reviewed. Of those 26 patients had a TAR, and 32 patients had a TAR+PC. Interviews and anorectal physiologic studies were performed preoperatively and postoperatively.
RESULTS
The recurrence rate after a TAR+PC was lower than the recurrence rate after a TAR (TAR 19.2% vs. TAR+PC 3.1%). The rectal sensation (sensory threshold: TAR 64.8+/-18.9 ml vs. TAR+PC 56.1+/-23.67 ml; earliest defecation urge: TAR 116.4+/-29.5 ml vs. TAR+PC 104.8+/-31.2 ml) was more improved after a TAR+PC.
CONCLUSIONS
A TAR+PC for treatment of a rectocele is safe and effectively corrects obstructed defecation. The improvement probably relates, at least in part, to rectal sensational factors other than the dimensions of the rectocele.

Keyword

Rectocele; Transanal rectocele repair; Posterior colporrhaphy

MeSH Terms

Defecation
Humans
Rectocele*
Recurrence
Sensation