Efficacy of endoscopic stapled transanal rectal resection for the treatment of rectocele.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the efficacy of endoscopic stapled transanal rectal resection for the treatment of rectocele.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: For this purpose, the data were collected from 61 patients with severe rectocele that underwent endoscopic stapled transanal rectal resection within the time period from April 2010 to April 2012. The pre- and post-operative Longo's obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) were compared. The reduction of the rectocele was assessed by defecography on visit and from patients' satisfaction obtained through following up.

RESULTS: We found that the postoperative Longo's ODS was significantly lower than the preoperative value (p < 0.01); and defecography showed that the rectocele was significantly reduced or disappeared. Furthermore, 57 of the 61 (93.4%) patients expressed their satisfaction at follow up.

CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic stapled transanal rectal resection can be recommended as the treatment of choice for rectocele since it is an easy-to-perform procedure that has satisfactory short and mid to long-term therapeutic efficacy.