Transanal rectocele repair using linear stapler and bioabsorbable staple line reinforcement material: short-term results of a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to determine the short-term results of transanal rectocele repair with use of a linear stapler and Bioabsorbable Seamguard.


METHODS
Ten women (median age, 56.1 y) with obstructed defecation syndrome were enrolled in the study. The preoperative study consisted of a medical history, physical examination, anoscopy, endoanal ultrasound, and defecography. All patients completed a severity score and a visual analog scale for global quality of life, and provided the postoperative dates of complications.


RESULTS
Overall, the treatment significantly improved the obstructed defecation: the severity score improved from a median of 19.8 +/- 4.2 at baseline to 6.10 +/- 8.2 at one month (P < .005), 5.9 +/- 8.3 at 6 months (P < .005), and 6 +/- 8.3 at one year after the operation (P < .005). A significant improvement was observed in the visual analog scale, which improved from a median of 1.8 +/- 1.4 at baseline to 6 +/- 1.6 at one month (P < .005), 6.6 +/- 2.1 at 6 months (P < .004), and 7 +/- 2.5 at one year (P < .004). A significant improvement was also observed in various symptoms. Only 2 patients manifested urgent defecation.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study demonstrates that rectocele repair using a linear stapler and Seamguard is a safe, easy procedure, with a very low rate of complications and good immediate outcome.
de la Portilla
F
F
Coloproctology Unit, Gastrointestinal Surgery Department, Juan Ramón Jiménez Hospital, Huelva, Spain. delaportilla@ya.com
Rada
R
R
Vega
J
J
Segovia-González
M M
MM
Caro
F
F
Cisneros
N
N
Maldonado
V H
VH
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001003:Anal Canal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020047:Rectocele / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D017792:Surgical Stapling; D013537:Sutures; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome