Rectocele repair improves evacuation and prolapse complaints independent of anorectal function and colonic transit time

Abstract

Evacuation disorders associated with a rectocele can be improved by rectocele repair. This study investigated whether anorectal function tests results change after rectocele repair. Fourteen patients with 2nd or 3rd degree rectocele and evacuation disorder were treated by posterior colporrhaphy and evaluated pre- and postoperatively (after 8 months, range 3-14) using questionnaires, anal manometry and endosonography, rectal barostat testing, and colonic transit time measurement with radio-opaque markers. Results from female controls were used for comparison. Preoperatively, rectocele patients had high maximal basal sphincter pressures, large sphincter lengths, and low maximal squeeze pressures, with an anal sphincter defect in seven and lower visceral sensitivity scores than in controls. Postprandial rectal responses (more than 10% decrease in postprandial volume after 1 h) were found in 3 of 14 patients compared to 2 of 11 parous and 9 of 11 nulliparous controls. After repair, a rectocele of 2nd degree was found in four patients. Questionnaire scores were significantly decreased for straining, evacuation disorder, manual support, and protrusion. Overall patient satisfaction with the operation scored 8.25 (range 3-10). Defecation frequencies and stool consistencies were unaltered. Anal pressures, rectal compliance-curves, visceral sensitivity, and colonic transit times were unaltered after the rectocele repair. Rectocele repair improved complaints of evacuation disorder and protrusion, but defecation frequency and stool consistency were not affected. Anorectal function was unaltered after rectocele repair. Selection of patients for rectocele repair should be performed based on evacuation and protrusion complaints, anorectal function, or colonic transit time measurements have a limited role.