Outcome after transperineal mesh repair of rectocele: a case series

This study was designed to establish the safety and efficacy of transperineal mesh repair in patients with obstructed defecation caused by rectocele.

Between 1998 and 2002, 24 consecutive females with symptomatic rectocele were retrospectively reviewed after mesh repair of rectocele. Two patients had inadvertent rectal perforation during operation and had no mesh implantation. Of the remaining 22 patients, 14 had a prolene mesh implanted, and 8 had a Vipro II mesh implanted. Median age at the time of presentation was 55 (range, 28-66) years. Patients were selected for operation based on clinical and evacuation proctogram findings. All patients complained of incomplete rectal evacuation, and the majority complained of excessive straining, constipation, and the need for vaginal/perineal digital pressure to aid defecation. Patients were followed up in clinic at six weeks, and a telephone questionnaire was performed at a median time of 12.5 (range, 3-47) months. Functional/objective outcomes were assessed for the following five symptoms preoperatively and postoperatively: excessive straining, incomplete evacuation, perineal/vaginal digital pressure, vaginal bulging, and constipation (always, usually, occasionally, never). Subjective outcomes were assessed as excellent, good, moderate, or poor. In addition, patients were asked about preexisting and postoperative dyspareunia.

Objective outcomes based on symptoms showed an improvement in two or more symptoms in 20 patients (91 percent). For all symptoms, there was a significant reduction in mean values after repair. Subjective outcomes showed that 17 patients (77 percent) had a moderate/good/excellent result. Patients with abnormal preoperative colonic transit marker studies did as well as those who had no transit studies performed or those who had normal studies. Patients who did not vaginally digitate did as well as those who did not digitate. Only one patient complained of new onset dyspareunia. Two patients with sphincter defects on endoanal ultrasound had a sphincteroplasty performed (1 prerectocele repair and 1 at the same time). There were two superficial wound infections and one deep infection. All infections responded to antibiotic therapy. No mesh has been removed. Semiabsorbable mesh repair was superior to nonabsorbable mesh repair.

Transperineal mesh repair of symptomatic rectocele is a safe technique that avoids the anal dilation and sphincter injury associated with endorectal repair. Objective and subjective results are good in the majority of patients, although a longer follow-up is required to confirm no deterioration.