Clinique de Chirurgie Digestive et Endocrinienne (CCDE) Institut des Maladies de l'Appareil Digestif (IMAD) University Hospital of Nantes - Hotel Dieu, France.
Clinique Urologique University Hospital of Nantes - Hotel Dieu, France Clinique Radiologique University Hospital of Nantes - Hotel Dieu, France.
Minimally-invasive surgery for pelvic floor prolapse has recently been shown to be feasible and safe. This study presents the results of robotic-assisted and laparoscopic rectopexy for complex rectocoele, focussing on less frequently reported outcomes of bowel and sexual function.
We prospectively assessed 41 consecutive patients who underwent ventral mesh rectopexy (robotic-assisted or laparoscopic) for a symptomatic complex rectocoele from January 2009 to January 2010. Complex rectocoele was defined as having one or more of the following features: larger than 3cm, an enterocoele or internal rectal prolapse. Patients with cystocoele underwent bladder suspension concurrently. Both groups were assessed for anatomical recurrence and function, comparing pre- and postoperative faecal incontinence, obstructive defaecation syndrome(ODS) and Gastrointestinal Quality-of-life Index(GIQLI) scores, as well as vaginal discomfort and sexual function.
Forty-one females underwent the procedure (16 robotic-assisted), with four (10.5%) having minor complications and two developing anatomical recurrence. There was significant relief of the commonest predominant symptoms of vaginal bulge/fullness (p< 0.0001) and sexual dysfunction (p=0.02). There were three conversions to laparotomy(1 robotic-assisted) and 5 patients declined postoperative functional assessment. In the remaining 33 patients (follow up median 12(8- 21) months, analysis revealed no significant difference in overall functional score (p>0.740) or between patients with one or two meshes inserted (p>0.486). Only patients with a preoperative ODS score greater than 6 had a significant improvement postoperatively (p=0.030).
Minimally-invasive ventral mesh rectopexy for complex rectocoele offers satisfactory anatomical correction and functional results, with the potential for alleviating symptoms of outlet obstruction, improving vaginal comfort and sexual dysfunction.
Written by:
Wong MT, Abet E, Rigaud J, Frampas E, Lehur PA, Meurette G. Are you the author?
Reference: Colorectal Dis. 2011 Jun 15. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1111/j.1463-1318.2011.02688.x
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 21689355
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