Changes in Dynamic Pelvic Floor Magnet Resonance Imaging and Patient Satisfaction after Resection Rectopexy for...

Resection rectopexy (RR) provides good functional results and low recurrence rates for the treatment of obstructed defecation syndrome based on rectal prolapse and cul-de-sac syndrome, whereas little is known about changes in pelvic floor dynamics and patient satisfaction after surgery.

Within three years 26 consecutive female patients were prospectively included. Indications for RR (22 laparoscopic, 3 primary open and 1 converted-to-open) were rectal prolapse III° in 11 patients and cul-de-sac syndrome in 15 patients. Patients' quality of life (QOL), fecal behavior and defecation-associated pain were investigated before and after surgical treatment using anamnesis and clinical examination, Rand 36-idem health survey (SF-36), Cleveland-Clinic Incontinence Score (CCIS) and the visual analog scale for defecation-associated pain (VAS). Dynamic pelvic floor magnet resonance imaging (dPF-MRI) was used for the investigation of changes in pelvic floor anatomy and function before and after surgery.

RR improved the rate of fecal incontinence (p < 0.01) and CCIS (p = 0.01). The use of laxatives (p = 0.01), the need for self-digitation (p = 0.02) and VAS (p < 0.01) were decreased, leading to improvements in QOL (overall p < 0.01). RR led to shortening of the H-line but not of the M-line under rest (p < 0.01) and during defecation (p = 0.04). A rectocele was co-incident in all patients in dPF-MRI before surgery. RR led to a reduction (p < 0.01) and declined protrusion (p = 0.03) of the rectocele. This results in a decreased rate of cul-de-sac (p < 0.01) and increased rate of complete defecation (p < 0.01) after surgery. At the 36-month follow-up no recurrence was observed.

RR promises high rates of patient satisfaction and improvement in pelvic floor anatomy in select patients.

• RR improves the pelvic floor anatomy of patients suffering from ODS. • RR improves the QOL of patients suffering from ODS. • An improvement in pelvic floor anatomy led to an improved QOL. • RR is an adequate treatment for select patients suffering from ODS.