Stapled transanal rectal resection for obstructed defecation syndrome associated with rectocele and rectal intussusception

AIM:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of stapled transanal rectal resection(STARR),and to analyze the outcome of the patients 12-mo after the operation.METHODS:From May 2007 to October 2008,50 female patients with rectocele and/or rectal intussusception underwent STARR.The preoperative status,perioperative and postoperative complications at baseline,3,6 and 12-mo were assessed.Data were collected prospectively from standardized questionnaires for the assessment of constipation[constipation scoring system,Longo’s obstructed defecation syndrome(ODS)score system,symptom severity score],patient satisfaction (visual analogue scale),and quality of life(Patient Assessment of Constipation-Quality of Life Questionnaire).RESULTS:At a 12-mo follow-up,significant improvement in the constipation scoring system,ODS score system,symptom severity score,visual analog scale and quality of life(P<0.0001)was observed.The symptoms of constipation improved in 90%of patients at 12 mo after surgery.The self-reported definitive outcome was excellent in 15(30%)patients,fairly good in 8(16%),good in 22(44%),and poor in 5(10%).CONCLUSION:STARR can be performed safely without major morbidity.Moreover,the procedure seems to be effective for patients with obstructed defecation associated with symptomatic rectocele and rectal intussusception.

Khubchandani's procedure combined with stapled posterior rectal wall resection for rectocele

BACKGROUND Obstructed defecation syndrome(ODS) is a widespread disease in the world.Rectocele is the most common cause of ODS in females. Multiple procedures have been performed to treat rectocele and no procedure has been accepted as the gold-standard procedure. Stapled transanal rectal resection(STARR) has been widely used. However, there are still some disadvantages in this procedure and its effectiveness in anterior wall repair is doubtful. Therefore, new procedures are expected to further improve the treatment of rectocele.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel rectocele repair combining Khubchandani's procedure with stapled posterior rectal wall resection.METHODS A cohort of 93 patients were recruited in our randomized clinical trial and were divided into two different groups in a randomized manner. Forty-two patients(group A) underwent Khubchandani's procedure with stapled posterior rectal wall resection and 51 patients(group B) underwent the STARR procedure.Follow-up was performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo after the operation. Preoperative and postoperative ODS scores and depth of rectocele, postoperative complications, blood loss, and hospital stay of each patient were documented. All data were analyzed statistically to evaluate the efficiency and safety of our procedure.RESULTS In group A, 42 patients underwent Khubchandani's procedure with stapled posterior rectal wall resection and 34 were followed until the final analysis. In group B, 51 patients underwent the STARR procedure and 37 were followed until the final analysis. Mean operative duration was 41.47 ± 6.43 min(group A) vs39.24 ± 6.53 min(group B). Mean hospital stay was 3.15 ± 0.70 d(group A) vs 3.14± 0.54 d(group B). Mean blood loss was 10.91 ± 2.52 mL(group A) vs 10.14 ± 1.86 m L(group B). Mean ODS score in group A declined from 16.50 ± 2.06 before operation to 5.06 ± 1.07 one year after the operation, whereas in group B it was17.11 ± 2.57 before operation and 6.03 ± 2.63 one year after the operation. Mean depth of rectocele decreased from 4.32 ± 0.96 cm(group A) vs 4.18 ± 0.95 cm(group B) preoperatively to 1.19 ± 0.43 cm(group A) vs 1.54 ± 0.82 cm(group B)one year after operation. No other serious complications, such as rectovaginal fistula, perianal sepsis, or deaths, were recorded. After 12 mo of follow-up, 30 patients'(30/34, 88.2%) final outcomes were judged as effective and 4(4/34,11.8%) as moderate in group A, whereas in group B, 30(30/37, 81.1%) patients' outcomes were judged as effective, 5(5/37, 13.5%) as moderate, and 2(2/37,5.4%) as poor.CONCLUSION Khubchandani's procedure combined with stapled posterior rectal wall resection is an effective, feasible, and safe procedure with minor trauma to rectocele.

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.

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.

Significance of defecography and the role of rectocele in constipated patients

Backround: Chronic constipation is a common, chronic and frequent problem of the general population. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of defecography in diagnosing the etiology of constipation and the relation between constipation and rectocele. Material-method: We have investigated 250 patients who have been admitted to our general surgery out-patient clinic with complaint of constipation using Rome III criteria and diagnostic defecography. Results: Out of 250 patients who were evaluated with defecography only 24 had normal findings. 136 patients were found to have rectocele. Conclusion: We propose that rectocele is an important etiology of constipation, and defecography should be considered early in the diagnosis of rectocele.

Bloodless Outpatient Surgical Treatment of Rectocele and Cystocele under Local Anesthesia

Background: Surgical treatment of rectocele and cystocele is usually performed in a hospital setting under regional (spinal or epidural) or general anesthesia, and patients commonly have to stay in the hospital for at least one or two days. The possibility of performing the surgery under local anesthesia, as an outpatient procedure with minimal bleeding and pain, no surgical assistants, with immediate discharge and, most importantly, without compromising postoperative results, is appealing. To our knowledge, no studies have evaluated whether performing rectocele and/or cystocele rectocele repair under local infiltration anesthesia and without separation of the vaginal mucosa from the underlying fascia achieves these goals. Objective: The aim of this study is to describe a new surgical technique for outpatient treatment of cystocele and rectocele under local anesthesia, and our initial results. Materials and Methods: Forty women underwent outpatient surgical repair of rectocele and/or cystocele between April and September 2020 at the ambulatory procedure room of the authors’ clinics. The technique consists of a triangular-shaped CO2 laser vaporization or electrocauterization of the posterior and/or anterior vaginal epithelium, followed by plication of the edges of the triangle with 0 polygalactin suture. A perineorrhaphy was always performed concomitantly with rectocele repair, and a transobturator sling was performed in women presenting with concomitant stress urinary incontinence. Postoperative evaluation included POP-Q measurement for each patient six months after the procedure, and resolution of prolapse was considered when anterior and/or posterior vaginal wall presented as stage 0 or 1. Pre and postoperative POP-Q measurements were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: The mean operating time was 21 minutes (range: 14 - 38 minutes). All patients tolerated the procedure well and were discharged immediately afterwards. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications, and all patients had satisfactory healing of the vaginal mucosa. Bleeding from the rectocele and/or cystocele repair was minimal, and nobody required extra-anesthesia or transfer to a hospital surgical theater. At six month follow-up, pre and postoperative POP-Q measurements of points Ap, Bp, Aa and Ba were all statistically significant (Ap 1.6 ± 1.2 × -2.4 ± 0.9, Bp 2.6 ± 1.6 × -2.7 ± 1.4, Aa 1.4 ± 1.1 × -2.3 ± 0.8, and Ba 2.4 ± 1.5 × -2.5 ± 1.2) respectively, revealing satisfactory resolution of both rectocele and cystocele. Conclusion: Our initial results suggest that rectocele and cystocele may be safely and effectively treated under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting using this new technique.

Gender influence on defecographic abnormalities in patients with posterior pelvic floor disorders

AIM:To compare defecographic abnormalities in symptomatic men and women and to analyze differences between men and age-and symptom-matched women.METHODS:Sixty-six men(mean age:55.4 years,range:20-81 years) who complained of constipation and/or fecal incontinence and/or pelvic pain underwent defecography after intake of a barium meal.Radiographs were analyzed for the diagnosis of rectocele,enterocele,intussusception and perineal descent.They were compared with age-and symptom-matched women(n = 198) who underwent defecography during the same period.RESULTS:Normal defecography was observed in 22.7% of men vs 5.5% of women(P < 0.001).Defecography in men compared with women showed 4.5%vs 44.4%(P < 0.001) rectocele,and 10.6% vs 29.8%(P < 0.001) enterocele,respectively.No difference was observed for the diagnosis of intussusception(57.6% vs 44.9%).Perineal descent at rest was more frequent in women(P < 0.005).CONCLUSION:For the same complaint,diagnosis of defecographic abnormalities was different in men than in women:rectocele,enterocele and perineal descent at rest were observed less frequently in men than in women.

STARR手术治疗直肠前突20例疗效分析

STARR（stapled Tran sanal rectal Resection）手术是近年来意大利学者A·longo提出的用于治疗直肠前突的新术式。2009年6月～2010年6月收治行STARR手术患者20例,报告如下。资料与方法本组患者20例,均为女性;年龄23～80岁,平均51.5岁。临床表现：本组病例均有排便困难,便条细、便量少、肛门堵塞感、下坠感、排便不尽感、排便费时、费力。

经会阴直肠超声可否用于直肠前突的诊断?

背景:经会阴直肠超声在直肠前突影像学诊断方面的应用已有多年,但其与排粪造影在评估直肠前突严重程度上的一致性并不理想。本研究旨在评估这两种方法评估直肠前突相关参数的一致性,从而为直肠前突的临床诊断提供思路。方法:这项初步研究招募了一家三甲医院2017年12月至2019年12月间的门诊直肠前突患者,分别于左侧卧位、蹲位和立位进行排粪造影检查,再分别于左侧卧位、蹲位和立位进行经会阴超声检查。评估两种检查方法的结果一致性。结果:30例女性直肠前突患者纳入研究。相比蹲位,采用立位进行排粪造影检查,无论静坐、提肛、Valsalva动作还是排便时,肛直角均明显增大;在Valsalva动作和排便时,前突深度加深;提肛和Valsalva动作时,会阴下降程度增加。而采用立位、蹲位和左侧卧位进行经会阴直肠超声检查,肛直角、前突深度、提肛间隙面积以及前突体积均明显不同。Bland-Altman半定量图显示,无论是采用蹲位还是立位,排粪造影与经会阴超声所测量出的肛直角和前突深度均有较好的一致性。结论:本研究结果为经会阴超声用于直肠前突患者的影像学评估提供了初步的证据支持,检查时宜采用蹲位和立位。

改良Bresler手术对直肠前突合并直肠套叠的治疗效果

背景:梗阻性排便综合征(ODS)是一种多由直肠前突和直肠套叠引起的排便障碍。本研究旨在通过与吻合器经肛直肠切除术(STARR)的比较,评估一种改良Bresler手术治疗ODS的疗效。方法:回顾性分析2014年6月至2016年6月间76例女性ODS患者的临床资料。按手术方式分为改良组和STARR组。改良组36例患者行改良Bresler手术,采用圆形管状吻合器加多层荷包缝合进行直肠后壁切除。STARR组40例患者则进行标准的STARR手术。记录术后并发症、Wexner便秘评分(WCS)、直肠前突深度和四分法术后满意度量表。结果:改良组手术时间更短,术后并发症更少(均P<0.05)。术后12个月,两组患者WCS评分和前突深度均得以改善;组间比较,改良组WCS评分显著低于STARR组(P<0.05),但前突深度两组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。术后12个月随访,改良组患者有更高的满意度(P=0.05)。结论:对于由直肠前突和直肠套叠引起的ODS,我们的改良Bresler术式是一种有效的治疗方式,可有效缓解便秘症状,且并发症更少。