Endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the rectovaginal septum: A case report / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Primary endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the rectovaginal septum is rare. Its pathogenesis is not clear and there is no standard treatment. One patient with endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the rectovaginal septum arising from deep infiltrative endometriosis was admitted to Qingdao Municipal Hospital. The patient presented with incessant menstruation and abdominal distension. She had bilateral ovarian endometriotic cystectomy 6 years ago. Imaging findings suggested a pelvic mass which might invade the rectovaginal septum. Pathological results of primary surgery confirmed endometrioid carcinoma of the pelvic mass arising from the rectovaginal septum. Then she had a comprehensive staged surgery. Postoperative chemotherapy was given 6 times. No recurrence or metastasis was found during the 2-year follow-up. The possibility of deep infiltrating endometriosis and its malignant transformation should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a new extragonadal pelvic lesion in a patient with a history of endometriosis, which would avoid misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.

Clinical Assessment Limitation in Extragastrointestinal Stromal Tumour of Rectovaginal Septum Diagnosis: A Case Report

@#Extragastrointestinal tumour of rectovaginal septum (rvGIST) is a rare malignancy that affects rectovaginal septum. We present a case of rvGIST that was initially managed as cervical eGIST based on clinical assessment. A 66-yearold woman presented with postmenopausal bleeding and constipation. Bimanual pelvic examination revealed an irregular mass occupying the vagina. CT thorax, abdomen and pelvis showed a 9.2 x 10.0 x 14.0 cm pelvic mass arising from cervix, extending superiorly to involve the uterus. The patient proceeded to undergo total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, enucleation of rectovaginal septum mass, rectosigmoidectomy and permanent colostomy. Intraoperatively, there was a 9 x 7 cm mass arising from rectovaginal septum. Histopathological examination of surgical specimen revealed spindle cell tumour diffusely positive for CD34, CD117 and DOG1. The final diagnosis was rvGIST. In conclusion, the diagnosis of rvGIST require a combination of clinical assessment with intraoperative finding and histological assessment of the surgical specimen.

Laparoscopic Rectovaginal Septal Repair without Mesh for Anterior Rectocele

A rectocele with a weakened rectovaginal septum can be repaired with various surgical techniques. We performed laparoscopic posterior vaginal wall repair and rectovaginal septal reinforcement without mesh using a modified transperineal approach. A 63-year-old woman with outlet dysfunction constipation complained of lower pelvic pressure and sense of heaviness for 30 years. Initial defecography showed an anterior rectocele with a 45-mm anterior bulge and perineal descent. Laparoscopic procedures included peritoneal and rectovaginal septal dissection directed toward the perineal body, rectovaginal septal suturing, and peritoneal closure. The patient started a soft diet the following day and was discharged on the 5th postoperative day without any complications. The patient had no dyschezia or dyspareunia, and no problem with bowel function; 3-month follow-up defecography showed a decrease in bulging to 18 mm. Laparoscopic posterior vaginal wall and rectovaginal septal repair is safe and feasible for treatment of a rectocele, and enables early recovery.

Extragastrointestinal stromal tumor arising in the vulva and rectovaginal septum：a clinico-pathologic analysis of three cases / 临床与实验病理学杂志

Purpose To study the clinic-pathological features, differential diagnosis and prognosis of extragastrointestinal stromal tumor ( EGIST) arising in the vulva and the rectovaginal septum. Methods Clinical manifestations, pathological features, immunohisto-chemistry, gene mutations, treatment and prognosis were analyzed in 1 case of EGIST arising in the vulva and 2 cases of EGIST arising in the rectovaginal septum with review of related literature. Results Case 1 was a 59-years-old woman who was found to have a 4. 4 cm × 3 cm × 3 cm recurrent mass in the right vulva after 6 months of the first resection. Case 2 was a 58-years-old woman who presen-ted with a 7. 3 cm × 6. 1 cm × 4. 6 cm mass in the rectovaginal septum. Case 3 was a 41-year-old woman who presented with an 8. 6 cm × 7. 4 cm × 6. 7 cm mass in the rectovaginal septum. Histologically, the uniform spindle cells showed the interlacing fascicular, whirl-pool and palisade patterns with high cellular density. Mitotic figures were readily identified. Immunohistochemical evaluation revealed that the tumor cells exhibited strong and diffuse staining for CD117, CD34, NES, H-Caldesmon and DOG-1. Molecular analysis showed the gene mutation of c-Kit exon 11 in all 3 cases. Conclusion EGIST should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the mesenchymal tumors arising in the vulva and the rectovaginal septum. The immunohistochemical evaluation and molecular genetic tes-ting are crucial tools for the differential diagnosis and assessment of the prognosis and targeted therapy of EGIST.

Nerves and fasciae in and around the paracolpium or paravaginal tissue: an immunohistochemical study using elderly donated cadavers / 대한해부학회지

The paracolpium or paravaginal tissue is surrounded by the vaginal wall, the pubocervical fascia and the rectovaginal septum (Denonvilliers' fascia). To clarify the configuration of nerves and fasciae in and around the paracolpium, we examined histological sections of 10 elderly cadavers. The paracolpium contained the distal part of the pelvic autonomic nerve plexus and its branches: the cavernous nerve, the nerves to the urethra and the nerves to the internal anal sphincter (NIAS). The NIAS ran postero-inferiorly along the superior fascia of the levator ani muscle to reach the longitudinal muscle layer of the rectum. In two nulliparous and one multiparous women, the pubocervical fascia and the rectovaginal septum were distinct and connected with the superior fascia of the levator at the tendinous arch of the pelvic fasciae. In these three cadavers, the pelvic plexus and its distal branches were distributed almost evenly in the paracolpium and sandwiched by the pubocervical and Denonvilliers' fasciae. By contrast, in five multiparous women, these nerves were divided into the anterosuperior group (bladder detrusor nerves) and the postero-inferior group (NIAS, cavernous and urethral nerves) by the well-developed venous plexus in combination with the fragmented or unclear fasciae. Although the small number of specimens was a major limitation of this study, we hypothesized that, in combination with destruction of the basic fascial architecture due to vaginal delivery and aging, the pelvic plexus is likely to change from a sheet-like configuration to several bundles.

Técnica laparoscópica reversa en el manejo quirúrgico de la endometriosis profunda del tabique rectovaginal: experiencia preliminar / Reverse laparoscopic technique in the surgical management of deep endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum: preliminary experience

ANTECEDENTES: El tratamiento quirúrgico de la endometriosis profunda es un procedimiento complejo, asociado a un alto riesgo de complicaciones. Recientemente, el uso de la técnica laparoscópica reversa aparece como una variante técnica interesante con el fin de disminuir las complicaciones. OBJETIVO: Describir nuestra experiencia preliminar y demostrar la factibilidad de la técnica laparoscópica reversa en el tratamiento de la endometriosis profunda del tabique rectovaginal. MÉTODO: Reporte de 5 casos a partir de base de datos prospectiva. RESULTADOS: La edad promedio de las pacientes fue 34,2 años (rango: 32-37 años). Todas las pacientes presentaban dismenorrea y dispareunia profunda de larga evolución y en 3 de ellas existía el antecedente de cirugías previas por endometriosis. El tiempo quirúrgico promedio fue 313 minutos (rango: 180-450 minutos). Todas las cirugías se completaron por laparoscopía y no se registraron complicaciones. La anatomía patológica confirmó endometriosis en todos los casos. El seguimiento promedio fue de 4 meses (rango: 2-8 meses). CONCLUSIÓN: La técnica laparoscópica reversa es una alternativa factible en el manejo quirúrgico de la endometriosis profunda, sin embargo es una técnica compleja y debe ser realizada por equipos experimentados en cirugía laparoscópica.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is complex and it is associated with a high risk of complications. Recently, the so-called reverse technique seems to be associated with lower a complication rate when compared to standard technique. AIMS: To report our preliminary experience and the feasibility of reverse technique in the management of DIE. METHOD: Report of 5 cases from a prospective database. RESULTS: Mean age was 34.2 years (range: 32-37 years). All patients had chronic pelvic pain and severe dyspareunia and 3 women had previous surgeries for endometriosis. Mean operative time was 313 minutes (range: 180-450 minutes). All surgeries were completed by laparoscopy and no complications were noted. Histological analysis confirmed endometriosis in all cases. Mean follow-up was 4 months (range: 2-8 month). CONCLUSION: Reverse laparoscopic technique is feasible and reproductible, however, it should be reserved to teams experienced in advanced laparoscopic surgery.

Surgical treatment of traumatic cloaca / Tratamento cirúrgico da cloaca pós-trauma

PURPOSE: To assess the functional results of surgical treatment of traumatic cloaca by a technique including reconstructive plastic surgery of the perineal body and of the rectovaginal septum using the puborectal and external sphincter muscles. METHODS: Six female patients were submitted to surgical treatment for correction of the cloaca over a period of 5 years (2002 to 2007). Loop sigmoidostomy was parformed in two patients. The mean duration of symptoms before surgical treatment was 97.5 months (4 months to 36 years), mean patient age was 36 years (17 to 58 years) and the follow-up period was 14.6 months (6 months to 2 years). RESULTS: Five patients (83.3 percent) regained fecal and flatus continence and one patient had flatus incontinence. DISCUSSION: Surgical treatment yields good results, is safe and involves low rates of complications.

INTRODUÇÃO: A causa mais comum da cloaca é o trauma obstétrico. O objetivo desse trabalho é avaliar os resultados do tratamento cirúrgico empregando-se plástica reconstrutiva do corpo perineal e do septo reto vaginal. MÉTODOS: Foram operadas seis mulheres, num período de 5 anos (2002-2007). Sigmoidostomia em alça foi realizada em duas pacientes. O tempo médio de duração dos sintomas no pré-operatório foi de 97,5 meses (4 meses a 36 anos), a faixa etária média foi de 36 anos (17-58) e o período de seguimento foi de 14,6 meses (6 meses - 2 anos). RESULTADOS: Cinco pacientes (83,3 por cento) recuperaram a continência anal para fezes e flatos e uma paciente permaneceu com incontinência para gases. DISCUSSÃO: O tratamento cirúrgico da cloaca pós-trauma apresentou bons resultados, sendo considerado um procedimento seguro, com baixo índice de complicação.

Laparoscopy for Retrovaginal Septum Endometriosis / 中国微创外科杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy of laparoscopy for the treatment of rectovaginal septum endometriosis. Methods A totalof 13 patients with rectovaginal septum endometriosis underwent open (5 cases) or laparoscopic (8 cases) operations in our hospital between January 2001 and May 2006.Results In the open surgery group,the operation time ranged from 130 to 200 minutes (mean,187 minutes) ,and the mean intraoperative blood loss was 189 ml (170 to 280).After the operation,the menstrual pain was relieved in 5 cases at 1 month,4 at 3 months,3 at 6 months,and 2 at 12 months.Whereas,in the laparoscopy group,the operation time ranged from 120 to 185 minutes (mean,155 minutes),and the mean blood loss was 135 ml(100 to 190 ml).The menstrual pain was relieved in 8 cases at month 1,8 cases at month 3,7 cases at month 6,and 5 cases at month 12.Conclusions Laparoscopic surgery is effective and safe for patients with rectovaginal septum endometriosis.

Repair of Rectovaginal Fistulas

Thirteen women with rectovaginal fistulas unrelated to inflammatory bowel disease or previous radiotherapy were operated on during Jan. 1993 - Jul. 1997 at Song-Do Colorectal Hospital. The mean age was 36.9 (range, 25~56) years. The mean follow-up after operation was 33 (range, 8~62) months. The etiology of the fistula in the majority of patients was obstetric injury and operative trauma (10/13). Seven patients were referred after attempts at repair elsewhere. Eleven patients were managed with a mucosal flap advancement and a 3-layered repair of the rectovaginal septum: 4 without and 7 with a perineal body reconstruction or sphincter repair. Two patients were managed with a mucosal flap advancement only without a repair of rectovaginal septum. In all cases, a concomitant colostomy was not performed. Postoperative complications were noticed in 3 of the patients managed by a mucosal flap advancement and 3-layered repair of the rectovaginal septum with perineal body reconstruction or sphincter repair and all were perineal wound infections. All of these infections were cured, without recurrence, by simple rubber seton drainage. Recurrence occurred in one case managed by a mucosal flap advancement only. Three patients with liquid incontinence became continent after a sphincter reconstruction. We conclude that most rectovaginal fistulas unrelated to inflammatory bowel disease or previous radiotherapy can be managed with a mucosal flap advancement and 3-layered reconstruction of the rectovaginal septum. If any signs or symptoms of sphincter injury are noticed preoperatively while taking the patient's history or during manometry and endorectal ultrasonography, a perineal body reconstruction or sphincter repair should be performed.