[Low rate of recurrence at a follow-up study of vaginal repair of enterocele].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of short and longterm follow-up after vaginal repair of enterocele.


METHODS
Retrospective medical record investigation, questionnaire investigation and outpatient clinic follow-up examination.


METHODS
In the Department of Gynaecology, Ikazia and Haven Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 66 patients were treated because of enterocele by vaginal repair in 1989-1998. Follow-up results were gathered from medical records, a written questionnaire and recent gynaecological examination.


RESULTS
The questionnaire response was 49/66 (74%); of the 17 non-respondents 6 had died. Of the 29 patients who had been routinely examined gynaecologically more than one year before, 25 consented to an additional gynaecological examination. The median follow-up until the questionnaire or the outpatient clinic examination was 3 years and 7 months (range: 1 month to 9 years and 7 months). A recurrent enterocele had been found in 4 patients; 3 of them underwent a repeat repair. A serious short-term complication was one rectovaginal fistula with a temporary artificial outlet. No clear relation of dysfunction of voiding and defaecation with the operation was found. However, problems with coitus were new in 19% of the sexually active group.


CONCLUSIONS
The vaginal repair of enterocele showed good results with a low recurrence rate of 6% in a complex group of patients.
Ikazia Ziekenhuis, afd. Gynaecologie, Rotterdam.
Y W
YW
van der Plas-de Koning
M E
ME
Vierhout
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020884:Colpotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D059685:Herniorrhaphy; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012008:Recurrence