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Rectocele Repair (ODS)

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Abstract

As rectoceles are prevalent in women, rectocele repair is a commonly performed procedure, executed by gynecologists and colon and rectal surgeons. A common difficulty in treating rectoceles is that they are not typically found in isolation, but frequently in association with other structural abnormalities noted on physician examination and imaging, e.g.: enterocele, sigmoidocele, colpocele, rectal intussusception, and solitary rectal ulcer, to name a few. In addition there are associated functional disorders: anismus, pudendal neuropathy, irritable bowel syndrome, rectal hypo sensation, and anxiety/depression. Therefore it is no surprise that the array of treatment modalities ranges from dietary fiber, laxatives, enemas, pelvic floor pelvic training, psychotherapy, to surgery by transanal, trans perineal or transvaginal or abdominal approach. This chapter will address the complications of transanal, trans perineal and transvaginal approaches. The stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) is also discussed.

The most common complications are nonsuccess and recurrences. Complications such as dyspareunia and incontinence are also commonly reported. To optimize outcome, due to the complexity of the presentation of the rectoceles with concomitant structural and functional disorders, careful patient selection extensive workup with multi-disciplinary input, optimization of bowel function, clear outcome expectations and frequently psychological evaluation prior to intervention is necessary.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Thornbury Hospital, 312 Fulwood Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S10 3BR, UK

    Steven Brown

  2. Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, 2221 Stockton Blvd, Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA

    Salvador G. Guevara & Linda M. Farkas

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  1. Steven Brown
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  2. Salvador G. Guevara
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  3. Linda M. Farkas
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Correspondence to Steven Brown .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Herand Abcarian

  2. Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Jose Cintron

  3. Epidemiology/Biometry Division, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Richard Nelson

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Brown, S., Guevara, S.G., Farkas, L.M. (2017). Rectocele Repair (ODS). In: Abcarian, H., Cintron, J., Nelson, R. (eds) Complications of Anorectal Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48406-8_9

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