Rectopexia laparoscópica con técnica de Orr-Loygue para el tratamiento del prolapso rectal / Laparoscopic Orr-Loygue rectopexy with mesh for the treatment of rectal prolapse

Introducción: Existen múltiples alternativas para el tratamiento quirúrgico del prolapso rectal mediante procedimientos de fijación, resección o combinados. Si bien el abordaje perineal evita el acceso a la cavidad peritoneal, se acompaña de una tasa de recidiva mayor en relación al abordaje abdominal. Descripción: Se presenta una paciente de 66 años, histerectomizada por vía laparotómica, con un prolapso rectal externo y reductible de 1 año de evolución, sin incontinencia fecal ni constipación. La endoscopia preoperatoria descartó patología colónica asociada. Abordaje laparoscópico en posición de Trendelenburg lateralizado a la derecha. Como es habitual en estos casos se observa la presencia de dolicosigma y fondo de saco de Douglas profundo y se evidencia también la cicatriz de la cesárea. El procedimiento comienza con la apertura peritoneal a nivel del promontorio y la movilización de la unión rectosigmoidea, identificando el uréter izquierdo. Se continua la disección circunferencial tras la apertura de la reflexión peritoneal hasta la altura de la cúpula vaginal. La rectopexia se realiza según la técnica de Orr-Loygue mediante la fijación de la malla por una parte a ambas caras laterales del recto y por otra al promontorio sacro con puntos de polipropileno 2-0, cuidando de no lesionar los vasos ilíacos y los uréteres. Finalmente se cierra la reflexión peritoneal con poliglactina para aislar las mallas protésicas del contenido visceral. La paciente tuvo una buena evolución postoperatoria, otorgándose el alta a las 48 h. Tras 8 meses de seguimiento se encuentra asintomática, con tránsito digestivo y continencia fecal sin alteraciones. Conclusión: El abordaje laparoscópico para el tratamiento del prolapso rectal es seguro y ofrece las ventajas de la cirugía mini-invasiva. La rectopexia con malla protésica es un procedimiento técnicamente desafiante, aunque con mejores resultados alejados. (AU)

Introduction: There are multiple alternatives for the surgical treatment of rectal prolapse through fixation, resection or combined procedures. Although the perineal approach avoids access to the peritoneal cavity, it is associated with a higher recurrence rate than the abdominal approach. Description: The video shows a 66-year-old female patient, hysterectomized by laparotomy, with a 1-year history of reduciblefull-thickness rectal prolapse, without fecal incontinence or constipation. Preoperative endoscopy ruled out associated colonic pathology. The laparoscopic approach is done with the patient placed in Trendelenburg and tilted to the right. As usual in these cases, the presence of dolichosigma and deep Douglas pouch is observed, as well as the cesarean section scar. The procedure begins with the peritoneal opening at the level of the promontory and the mobilization of the rectosigmoid junction, identifying the left ureter. Circumferential dissection is continued after opening the peritoneal reflection up to the level of the vaginal vault. Rectopexy is performed according to the Orr-Loygue technique by fixing the mesh to both lateral aspects of the rectum on one side and to the sacral promontory on the other side with 2-0 polypropylene interrupted sutures, taking care not to injure the iliac vessels and ureters. Finally, the peritoneum is closed with a running suture with polyglactin to isolate the prosthetic mesh from the visceral content. The patient had a good postoperative outcome and was discharged at 48 h. After 8 months of follow-up, she is asymptomatic and has normal colonic transit and fecal continence. Conclusion: the laparoscopic approach for the treatment of rectal prolapse is safe and offers the advantages of minimally invasive surgery. Prosthetic mesh rectopexy is a technically challenging procedure, although has better distant results. (AU)

Higher symptom score, larger residual rectocele, and lower rectal compliance predict failure of improvement after surgical treatment of rectocele

Background: Rectocele is a frequent finding in women and is usually asymptomatic. However, it is sometimes associated with symptoms of obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS). While most patients with ODS due to rectocele respond well to conservative treatment, some may require surgical treatment. The aim of the study was to determine the predictors of failure of symptom improvement after rectocele repair. Methods: The study included adult women with rectocele who underwent surgical treatment by transperineal repair (TPR) or transvaginal repair (TVR). The preoperative and postoperative assessment was done using the Wexner constipation score, anorectal manometry, and defecography. Results: A total of 93 female patients with a mean age of 43.7 years were included. Among them, 65.6% of patients underwent TPR and 34.4% underwent TVR; 22 (23.7%) patients reported failure of significant improvement in ODS symptoms after surgery. The independent predictors of failure of improvement were higher preoperative Wexner score (odds ratio, OR: 1.4, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.09-1.84, p = 0.009), larger residual rectocele after repair (OR: 2.95, 95% CI: 1.43-6.08, p = 0.003), and lower postoperative maximum tolerable volume (OR: 0.949, 95% CI: 0.907-0.992, p = 0.02). The predictive cutoff point for the preoperative Wexner score was 15. Conclusions: Patients with a preoperative Wexner score higher than 15 and larger residual rectocele after surgery may experience little improvement in symptoms after rectocele repair. Although TPR was associated with a poorer relief of symptoms than did TVR; it was not an independent predictor of failure. (AU)

Laparoscopic Posterolateral Rectopexy for the Treatment of Patients With a Full Thickness Rectal Prolapse: Experience With 63 Patients and Short-term Outcomes

PURPOSE: Although numerous procedures have been proposed for the treatment of patients with a rectal prolapse, the most effective operation has not yet been established. Minimal rectal mobilization can prevent constipation; however, it is associated with increased recurrence rates. We describe our novel method for a laparoscopic posterolateral rectopexy, which includes rectal mobilization with a posterior-right unilateral dissection, suture fixation to the sacral promontory with a polypropylene mesh (Optilene), and a mesorectal fascia propria that is as wide as possible. The present report describes our novel method and assesses the short-term outcomes of patients. METHODS: Between June 2014 and June 2017, 63 patients (28 males and 35 females) with a full-thickness rectal prolapse underwent a laparoscopic posterolateral (LPL) rectopexy. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and postoperative complications in those patients. The outcome of surgery was determined by evaluating the answers on fecal incontinence questionnaires, the results of anal manometry preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively, the patients’ satisfaction scores (0–10), and the occurrence of constipation. RESULTS: No recurrence was reported during follow-up (3.26 months), and 3 patients reported postoperative complications (wound infection, postoperative sepsis, which was successfully treated with conservative management, and retrograde ejaculation). Compared to the preoperative baseline, fecal incontinence at three months postoperatively showed an overall improvement. The mean patient satisfaction score was 9.55 ± 0.10, and 8 patients complained of persistent constipation. CONCLUSION: LPL rectopexy is a safe, effective method showing good functional outcomes by providing firm, solid fixation for patients with a full-thickness rectal prolapse.