Rectocele

Abstract

Rectocele is one of the more common pathologies of the pelvic floor. It is a clinical problem that significantly worsens the quality of life by causing obstructed defecation symptoms such as anal digitation, incomplete emptying, and dyschesia. Proper differential diagnosis, distinguishing rectocele from enterocoele or perineal body descent, allows for making proper therapeutic decisions and consists of medical history, ultrasound examination, dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and defecography. The most common treatment procedures are vaginal native tissue repair, transanal repair, and laparoscopic ventrorectopexy. Surgical treatment should aim to alleviate the symptoms of obstructed defecation and repair the anatomical issue.