title: A novel technique for rectocele repair in elderly women.
abstract: We have developed a transvaginal technique for rectocele repair which we believe to be particularly suitable for older woman. A transverse incision was made in the mucocutaneous border of the vaginal introitus. The rectal wall was separated from the rectovaginal septum. The vaginal wall was divided in the middle. The first flap was sewn to the second and this onto the first. This intervention permits the contemporary correction of other pathologies frequently found in older women, such as cystocele and prolapse of the uterus. Twenty-two elderly women underwent operations using this technique; the mean follow-up period was 48 months (range, 24-84 months). The need to assist evacuation digitally disappeared in all patients.
authors.affiliation: Third Section of General Surgery, Department of Clinical Pathophysiology, University of Turin, Via Genova 3, I-10126 Turin, Italy. mario.nano@unito.it
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferronato
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Solej
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Amico
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020047:Rectocele / Q000601:surgery*; D014621:Vagina / Q000601:surgery*