Short-Term Complications Following Transvaginal Sacrospinous Ligament Rectopexy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Colorectal surgery
• Pelvic floor reconstructive surgery
• Surgical innovation

Background:

• Obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) affects over 12% of middle-aged women, causing significant distress.
• Current surgical treatments like ventral mesh rectopexy carry risks, including mesh complications and abdominal entry.
• There is a need for safer, effective surgical alternatives for ODS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the short-term safety and complication profile of transvaginal sacrospinous ligament suture rectopexy for ODS.
• To compare complication rates with existing surgical interventions for ODS.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 190 patients undergoing transvaginal sacrospinous ligament suture rectopexy for ODS.
• Data collection included demographics, intraoperative events, and 30-day postoperative complications.
• Patients were treated at a tertiary medical center between January 2018 and May 2024.

Main Results:

• The procedure demonstrated a low rate of intraoperative complications, with four rectal injuries successfully managed.
• Postoperative urinary retention occurred in 29.8% of patients, often associated with concurrent procedures.
• Reoperation was required in 3.7% of patients for issues including urinary retention, sacrospinous pain, and hematoma.

Conclusions:

• Transvaginal sacrospinous ligament suture rectopexy is a viable and safe surgical option for ODS.
• The study indicates low short-term complication rates, supporting its use as an alternative to traditional rectopexy methods.