Rectovaginopexy

Lucas W. M. Janssen

Product Details
Product ID: ACS-1773
Year Produced: 1991
Length: 13 min.


This video features animation and live footage presenting a new surgical technique for treatment of rectal prolapse, internal procidentia, enterocele, vaginal vault prolapse and uterine prolapse. The techinque shown is based on and developed from the original observations and techniques of the abdominal fixation of the rectum (described by Jaenell, Moscowitz, Graham, Welsh, and Ripstein). It includes the fixation of that part of the anterior wall of the rectum which is directly positioned under the pouch of Douglas. Fixation is performed by a strip of nonresorbable plastic material, sutured to the promontorium. This fixation prevents the initiating invagination of the rectum and by that the following circular rectal invagination and prolapse. To close the very deep pouch of Douglas or to close and enterocele and to treat concomitantly an invagination of the upper vaginal vault or uterine prolapse in the female patient, the top of the vagina is fixed to the same strip. With this type of fixation, the collagen structures of rectum and vagina are reconstructed as closely as possible to the original ones. Apart from a careful dissection of the peritoneum on both sides of the rectum and in the pouch of Douglas, no further dissection of mesorectal structures is necessary. Blood loss and damage of the plexus pelvicus is therefore minimal. In our hands this technique has proven to be effective, straightforward, and safe.