Rectocele Repair
Surgical correction of a symptomatic posterior rectocele causing obstructed defecation - performed transanally or transvaginally when pelvic floor physiotherapy has not achieved adequate improvement.
What is Rectocele Repair?
A rectocele is a herniation of the anterior rectal wall through a weakness in the rectovaginal septum, creating a pouch that captures stool during defecation - causing incomplete evacuation and obstructed defecation symptoms. Rectocele repair strengthens the rectovaginal septum and reduces the herniation. Dr. Samhitha Reddy performs rectocele repair at Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad via a transanal or transvaginal approach - as part of the comprehensive pelvic floor dysfunction treatment in Hyderabad and ODS management programme. Surgery is offered after pelvic floor physiotherapy and biofeedback has been completed without adequate improvement, for large (>3 cm) symptomatic rectoceles confirmed on defecography.
How the Procedure Works
Pre-operative Defecography
Defecography confirms the rectocele size, degree of herniation during straining, and any associated intussusception or enterocele that would modify the surgical plan.
Anaesthesia
Spinal or general anaesthesia. Positioning depends on approach - lithotomy for transanal, modified lithotomy for transvaginal.
Rectovaginal Septum Dissection (Transanal)
A transanal approach opens the anterior rectal wall and exposes the rectovaginal septum. Excess tissue and the rectocele defect are identified.
Septum Reinforcement
The rectovaginal septum is repaired with plication sutures, reducing the herniation and reinforcing the posterior vaginal wall. A levatoroplasty may be added.
Closure & Recovery
The mucosa is closed with absorbable sutures. Hospital stay 1 day. High-fibre diet, stool softeners, and pelvic floor physiotherapy post-operatively.
Outcomes
Who Needs This Treatment?
- →Directly corrects the structural defect causing obstructed defecation
- →Effective for large symptomatic rectoceles not responding to biofeedback
- →Transanal approach avoids any external skin incisions
- →Can be combined with Rectopexy if internal intussusception is also present
- →Day-care or 1-day stay - rapid recovery
- →Available at Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad for affordable pelvic floor treatment in Hyderabad
A symptomatic rectocele is essentially a structural mechanical problem - the stool is falling into a pouch it should not be falling into. Once biofeedback has been properly tried and defecography confirms a large herniation, surgical repair provides direct, logical, effective correction.
— - Dr. Samhitha Reddy, Consultant Proctologist & Laparoscopic Surgeon
Common Questions
Frequently Asked
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