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Rectocele and Rectoenterocele: The Gynecologist’s Approach

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Reconstructive Surgery of the Rectum, Anus and Perineum

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Abstract

Rectocele and rectoenterocele commonly cause a vaginal bulge and therefore often are seen and treated by a gynecologist, even if they frequently cause symptoms belonging to the realm of the gastroenterologist and the colorectal surgeon. Because of our limited understanding of the etiology, pathophysiology, and even basic anatomy of rectocele and rectoenterocele, there is disagreement within and between specialties about the best surgical means of treating these conditions, and little information regarding functional and anatomical outcomes is available. This chapter examines what is known about the etiology and pathophysiology of rectocele and rectoenterocele, describes recent advances in functional imaging, and outlines the approaches used by gynecologists in the surgical management of these conditions. Understanding the gynecological approach will assist the coloproctologist to whom such patients are referred after gynecological surgery or who is part of a multidisciplinary management team.

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Disclosure

Dr Dietz has, within the last two calendar years, acted as a consultant for Materna Inc (San Francisco, CA) and has received an educational grant from General Electric Medical (Waukesha, WI).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Discipline of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatology, Sydney Medical School Nepean, Nepean Hospital, Penrith, NSW, 2750, Australia

    Hans Peter Dietz M.D., Ph.D.

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  1. Hans Peter Dietz M.D., Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Hans Peter Dietz M.D., Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital, Dean Street, Tamworth, 2340, New South Wales, Australia

    Andrew P. Zbar

  2. Delware Street 420, Minneapolis, 55455, Minnesota, USA

    Robert D. Madoff

  3. , Dept. Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Florida, Cleveland Clinic Blvd. 2950, Weston, 33331, Florida, USA

    Steven Wexner

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Dietz, H.P. (2013). Rectocele and Rectoenterocele: The Gynecologist’s Approach. In: Zbar, A., Madoff, R., Wexner, S. (eds) Reconstructive Surgery of the Rectum, Anus and Perineum. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-413-3_28

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-413-3_28

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84882-413-3

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