title: Injection sclerotherapy using aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid in the treatment of symptomatic rectocele: A prospective case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although various surgical techniques have been described for the treatment of rectocele, there is currently no method exhibiting overall superiority because of the different types of complications and varying rate of recurrence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of injection sclerotherapy using aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid in the management of symptomatic rectocele.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients were recruited and treated using injection sclerotherapy. Efficacy measures included changes in the Constipation Scoring System value and rectocele size.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median operative duration was 7.5 min (range, 3-16 min). Three months after treatment, the mean Constipation Scoring System value decreased significantly in comparison with the baseline value (8.9 ± 4.1 vs. 4.9 ± 2.8, P = 0.0014) and the mean rectocele size reduced significantly in comparison with the baseline size (3.8 ± 0.5 vs. 1.7 ± 0.9, P < 0.001). Regarding complications, a patient showed temporary fecal impaction after treatment. The recurrence rate at 4 years was 29% (95% confidence interval, 10%-66%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Injection sclerotherapy is quick, easy to perform, and offers reasonable mid-term outcomes; furthermore, it is associated with a low rate of complications. Therefore, it appears to be a reasonable alternative for patients with symptomatic rectocele.
authors.affiliation: Department of Proctology, Kunimoto Hospital, Asahikawa, Japan. Electronic address: t-abe@cf6.so-net.ne.jp.
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.affiliation: Department of Proctology, Kunimoto Hospital, Asahikawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Masao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kunimoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Proctology, Kunimoto Hospital, Asahikawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshikazu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hachiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Proctology, Kunimoto Hospital, Asahikawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ebisawa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000534:Alum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008875:Middle Aged; D020047:Rectocele / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015911:Sclerotherapy; D013634:Tannins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000534:Alum Compounds; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D013634:Tannins; C041524:aluminum sulfate
keywords: Aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid; Injection sclerotherapy; Obstructed defecation; Rectocele