Functional and Sexual Outcomes After Laparoscopic Ventral Mesh Rectopexy for Complex Rectocele

Functional and Sexual Outcomes After Laparoscopic Ventral Mesh Rectopexy for Complex Rectocele

The ideal surgical strategy for treating complex rectocele remains a topic for debate, with the transanal, transperineal, and transvaginal approach and the abdominal approach being at conflict with one another. While the transvaginal repair is more popular among gynecologists, the trans abdominal approach has become increasingly common among colorectal surgeons, in part due to the rising demand for minimally invasive surgery.

For the treatment of rectoceles and ODS in general, the laparoscopic method has recently come to light as a promising alternative.

Laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy (LVMR) was originally described for the management of rectal prolapse. However, It was also recommended with encouraging results for the treatment of large symptomatic rectocele.

The present study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LVMR for complex rectocele.

Inclusion Criteria:

• multiparous female patients.
• aged between 30 and 60 years
• who were diagnosed with complex anterior rectocele- more than 3cm after failed medical treatment- with history of either vaginal delivery or caesarian section.
• complex rectocele was one having any of the following features: size > 3 cm in diameter, associated enterocoele or internal rectal prolapse

Exclusion Criteria:

• paradoxical contraction of puborectalis muscle (anismus),
• complete external rectal prolapse
• fecal incontinence
• other benign anal conditions
• those who are unfit for surgery due to associated severe co-morbidities