Diagnosis and Treatment of Anorectal Dysfunction Due to Organic Disease, Rectocele
摘要
Rectocele is one of the structural causes of organic defecatory disorders. Rectocele is defined as the protrusion of the anterior rectal wall toward the posterior vaginal wall due to weakening of the rectovaginal septum. However, since many cases are asymptomatic, diagnosis is typically reserved for symptomatic individuals. The size of the rectocele can be assessed via defecography, with some reports defining rectocele as a protrusion measuring ≥3 cm in length or depth. In principle, asymptomatic rectocele does not require treatment. Intervention is indicated only in symptomatic cases. Conservative management includes guidance on bowel habits, administration of laxatives, and increased dietary fiber intake. Biofeedback therapy may also be selected. If symptoms do not improve sufficiently with these measures, surgical treatment may be considered. Various surgical methods are available. Transvaginal anterior levatorplasty has been reported to yield favorable and long-term outcomes among them.