Perineal body repair in patients with third degree rectocele: A critical analysis of the tissue fixation system

Aim: We describe the technique of tissue fixation system (TFS) perineal body repair in patients presenting with symptomatic third degree rectocele. Method: The single sling TFS perineal body repair is performed in three surgical steps: (i) dissection of the rectum off the vagina and laterally displaced perineal body; (ii) identification of the deep transverse perineii muscles beyond their insertion point behind the descending pubic ramus; (iii) elevation and approximation of the separated and laterally displaced perineal bodies by insertion, without tension, of non-stretch 7 mm polypropylene tape into the bodies of the deep transverse perineii muscles. Results: From January 2007 to December 2009 we performed the TFS operation for 30 women, median age 61 (range 47-87) years, mean parity 2.6 (range 1-5), with third degree symptomatic low rectocele (median obstructive defaecation syndrome score 19; range 11-24). Median hospital stay was 24 (range 12-96) h. The median visual analogue scale for postoperative pain was 1 (range 1-7). Complications occurred in three cases (10%) and included a surfaced tape that was partly resected (repair maintained), a recurrence of the rectocele due to incorrect placement (failed repair) and a foreign body abscess requiring tape removal. At 12-month follow-up, 27 patients (90%) reported normal defaecation and the median obstructive defaecation syndrome score was significantly reduced to 4 (range 1-6; P < 0.001). Conclusion: The TFS perineal body repair is an effective, safe, minimally invasive treatment in women with symptomatic low rectocele.