Laparoscopic anterior and posterior native tissue repair: a new pelvic floor approach

Introduction: Traditionally, a cystocele caused by a midline defect of the pelvic fascia is treated by vaginal fascia duplication, also known as anterior colporraphy. The rectocele is managed by suturing the posterior fascia and, frequently, the levator ani muscles. We developed the approach of laparoscopic anterior and posterior fascia repair by native tissue.

Material and methods: The methods were based on anterior and posterior exposure of pelvic fascia similar to the preparation of an extended sacral colpopexy. The fascia was compressed and narrowed by absorbable woven sutures, size 1. Twenty-seven patients were followed up for 6–13?months. All patients received additional apical fixation by pectopexy.

Results: In the examination group, 13 patients underwent anterior laparoscopic fascia repair and 23 had posterior repair. We detected one apical and one posterior relapse, and also one in the anterior repair group. The patient with the apical relapse reported pain and de novo urgency. Anatomical reconstruction was achieved in all other patients.

Summary: Laparoscopic anterior and posterior native tissue repair appears to be a feasible method for the treatment of midline cystocele and rectocele. No new risks were observed. The technique leaves no scar in the vagina and is well accepted.

Abbreviations: POPQ: Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System; FDA: Food and Drug Association; US: United States; Fig: Figure; ICIQ: International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire     

Delivery through perineal body and severed external anal sphincter with an intact vaginal orifice during a precipitous labor: a case report

We present the case of a patient who delivered her baby through the perineal body with an intact vaginal introitus. Damage to the perineal body through its connection to the external anal sphincter can involve the rectovaginal septum with increased morbidity and thought to be linked to rectocele development.     

经肛闭式切除修补术治疗直肠前突（Ⅲ度）1例临床分析

目的：对直肠前突（Ⅲ度）进行治疗,达到根治。方法：经肛闭式切除修补术治疗直肠前突（Ⅲ度）。结果：术后经过近期及远期随访,疗效显著。结论：经肛闭式切除修补术治疗直肠前突（Ⅲ度）有效。     

Detection of a rectocele-like prolapse in the colonic J-pouch using pouchography: Cause or effect of evacuation diffculties?

The functional outcome after a low anterior resection for rectal cancer is improved by a colonic J-pouch reconstruction. One functional problem with J-pouches is difficulty in evacuation, which is more common with large reconstructions. Since rectoceles are common findings on defecography in patients with evacuation difficulties, we proposed that a rectocele-like prolapse may be thus found in patients with large J-pouches. Pouchography was used to identifya rectocele-like prolapse (RP) in 26 patients with a 10-cm J-pouch (10-J group) and 27 patients with a 5-cm J-pouch (5-J group). Pouchography was performed at 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery. Functional assessments were performed 1 year postoperatively. Clinical function was evaluated using a questionnaire. The evacuation function was evaluated by the balloon expulsion and saline evacuation test. No patients had an RP at 3 months or 1 year after surgery. An RP was significantly more common in the 10-J group than in the 5-J group at 2 years after surgery (P=0.0374). An evacuation difficulty was significantly more common in the 10-J group than in the 5-J group. The evacuation function in the 10-J group was also significantly inferior to that in the 5-J group. An RP appearing 2 years after surgery is more common in patients with evacuation difficulties and large colonic J-pouch reconstructions. This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, and a grant for Cancer Research from the Osaka Cancer Foundation.     

直肠前突型便秘的手术新进展及预后相关因素分析

目的:探讨直肠前突型便秘的术式新进展及影响手术疗效的相关因素。方法:采取文献回顾法,对目前国内、外关于直肠前突型便秘的手术方式及预后因素进行分析和综述。结果:直肠前突型便秘的手术方式从入路大致可分为四大类:经直肠、经阴道、经会阴、经腹。就现有的文献报导上述四类手术方式的术后疗效无显著差异;而手法协助排便史、排粪造影中直肠前突内钡剂储留程度、直肠前突的大小、合并结肠慢传输及其它出口梗阻因素、一些全身性疾病等对直肠前突便秘的术后疗效均有影响。结论:便秘是一个多因素致病的结果(直肠前突仅为其中原因之一)。由于目前对便秘的病因病理等基础研究还不充分,因此临床上要注意判断直肠前突与便秘的关系,掌握好手术指征,并尽可能选择对患者损伤小、痛苦少的手术为宜。     

吻合器痔上黏膜环切术治疗直肠前突合并直肠黏膜内脱垂疗效观察

目的观察吻合器痔上黏膜环切术(PPH)治疗直肠前突合并直肠黏膜内脱垂的疗效。方法对23例直肠前突合并直肠黏膜内脱垂的患者行改良PPH手术,随访6~12个月。结果治愈19例,好转4例,总有效率100%。结论PPH治疗直肠前突合并直肠黏膜内脱垂效果满意,荷包缝合是手术成功的关键。     

It's not all about birth: biomechanics applied to pelvic organ prolapse prevention

Pelvic organ prolapse is a common and costly women's health problem. Prevention of prolapse continues to play a role in the debate about the risks and benefits of elective cesarean section, making this an important topic for midwives to understand. While some women appear to be at higher risk for prolapse because of intrinsic anatomic and physiologic factors, others have modifiable risk factors that can be addressed by health care providers. This article discusses the current knowledge related to the etiology of prolapse and related components of pelvic anatomy. Biomechanical principles are then applied to enhance the understanding of prolapse development and prevention. Clinical recommendations are based on current evidence regarding topics such as physical activity during pregnancy, treatment of vaginal atrophy, and optimal pelvic floor muscle exercises.     

Progression and remission of pelvic organ prolapse: a longitudinal study of menopausal women

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the natural history of pelvic organ prolapse after menopause. STUDY DESIGN: Over 2 to 8 years, participants in the estrogen plus progestin trial of the Women's Health Initiative at the University of California Davis had annual pelvic examinations, with an assessment of uterine prolapse, cystocele, and rectocele. The findings from these examinations were used to describe the incidence of pelvic organ prolapse, the probability of progression or regression, and the associated risk factors. RESULTS: At baseline, 31.8% of women had pelvic organ prolapse (n=412 women). The annual incidences of cystocele, rectocele, and uterine prolapse were 9.3, 5.7, and 1.5 cases per 100 women-years, respectively. Incident prolapse was associated with increasing parity and waist circumference. The progression rates for grade 1 pelvic organ prolapse (per 100 women-years) were 9.5 for cystocele, 13.5 for rectocele, and 1.9 for uterine prolapse. The annual rates of regression (per 100 women-years) was 23.5, 22, and 48, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that pelvic organ prolapse is not always chronic and progressive as traditionally thought. Spontaneous regression is common, especially for grade 1 prolapse.