A new rectovaginal fascial plication technique for treatment of rectocele with obstructed defecation: a proof of concept study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to investigate the functional and anatomical outcome after a new rectovaginal fascial plication technique in patients with rectoceles or rectal pockets and obstructed defecation.
METHODS: In a prospective study 54 of 87 patients were examined pre- and postoperatively using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system of the International Continence Society (ICS). Bowel and protrusion symptoms as well as quality of life (QOL) were evaluated by a standardized questionnaire. Surgical therapy consisted of a posterior vaginal wall incision in the midline, a dissection of the vaginal epithelium from the underlying rectovaginal fascia while the rectocele was brought under tension by the index finger in the rectum. Under rectal digital control the surgically exposed rectovaginal fascia was sutured in a cranio-caudal fashion with sagittally positioned running absorbable sutures followed by a careful reapproximation of the laterally separated perineal body in the midline.
RESULTS: Obstructed defecation symptoms were cured or improved in 72.2 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 59.1-82.4]. Anatomical cure rate was 92.1 % (95 % CI 79.2-97.3) and protrusion symptoms were resolved in 73.6 % (95 % CI 58.0-85.0). Of the patients who had intercourse, 5.2 % reported de novo dyspareunia postoperatively; in none of these patients was an anatomical cause found. There were no major intra- or postoperative complications.
CONCLUSIONS: Sagittal rectovaginal fascial plication in symptomatic rectoceles or functionally relevant rectal pockets is associated with a satisfactory anatomical and functional cure rate without impacting sexual function.