An interventional study of Stapled Transanal Rectal Resection and Stapled Transvaginal Rectal Resection in Rectocele; Female, sponsored by Cairo University. Recruiting at 1 site in Egypt. Open to female participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-22.
Sponsored by Cairo University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Female patients presenting with obstructed defecation syndrome due to anterior rectocele will be screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eligible patients will undergo clinical assessment and appropriate investigations including defecography. After informed consent, patients will be randomized into two groups: Stapled Transanal rectal resection or Stapled Transvaginal rectal resection. Improvement in obstructed defecation symptoms and postoperative complications will be compared between the two groups.
This is a randomized controlled trial aims to compare the clinical outcomes of Stapled Transanal versus Stapled Transvaginal rectal resection in female patients with obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) caused by anterior rectocele.
Female patients presenting to the outpatient colorectal clinic with symptoms of obstructed defecation syndrome will be screened for eligibility according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. All eligible patients will receive a detailed explanation of the study objectives, procedures, potential benefits, and risks. Written informed consent will be obtained prior to enrollment.
A comprehensive preoperative evaluation will be performed for all participants, including detailed medical history, physical and anorectal examination, and appropriate investigations including defecography to confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of rectocele.
Enrolled patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio into one of two intervention groups. Group A will undergo stapled Transanal rectal resection, while Group B will undergo stapled transvaginal rectal resection. All surgical procedures will be performed by experienced colorectal surgeons.
Primary outcome measures will include improvement in obstructed defecation symptoms as assessed by Cleveland Clinic Constipation (CCC) score. Secondary outcomes will include length of hospital stay, operative time, postoperative pain score, postoperative continence state, Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12) and postoperative complications.
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients in this group will be conducted to Stapled Transanal rectal resection for the anterior rectocele
Procedure: Stapled Transanal Rectal Resection
patients in this group will be conducted to stapled transvaginal rectal resection for the anterior rectocele
Procedure: Stapled Transvaginal Rectal Resection
Patients were placed in the lithotomy position. Using the trans-anal approach, rectocele was done using PPH circular staplers. A circular anal dilator (CAD) was inserted into the anus and sutured into position. Three full-thickness prolene 2/0 sutures were positioned at the anterior, left anterior lateral, and right anterior lateral locations, approximately 4 cm above the dentate line. At the posterior aspect, a tongue depressor was placed into the CAD groove to protect the posterior rectal wall. After insertion of the Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids stapler (PPH stapler) into the rectum with its head open past the proximal suture, PPH stapler was progressively closed. Per vaginal examination was done To make sure the stapler did not include the vagina. The stapler was then fired to complete the anterior rectal resection.
The patient in the lithotomy position. Anal dilatation was performed. A transverse incision was made in the mucocutaneous border of the vaginal introitus; the posterior vaginal wall was dissected and separated from the anterior rectal wall up to the posterior fornix. Dissection was extended laterally to the maximum length of the rectocele. Two Babcock clamps were applied longitudinally to the rectocele, and the stapler was fired to divide the rectocele. Partial thickness stitches were applied over the staple line using vicryl 2/0 suture to reinforce the staple line.
Improvement in obstructed defecation symptoms in both groups using Cleveland Clinic Constipation (CCC) score
Compare Improvement in obstructed defecation symptoms in both groups using Cleveland Clinic Constipation (CCC) score. CCC score ranges from 0 to 30. Higher scores indicate a worse outcome (more severe obstructed defecation symptoms )
Time frame: Up to 6 months postoperatively
Operative time
Compare time of operation between both procedure
Time frame: During surgery
Hospitalization period
Compare how many days patients stay in hospital in both groups
Time frame: From date of hospital admission until date of hospital discharge, assessed up to 10 days after surgery
surgical site infection
compare surgical site infection in both groups
Time frame: Up to 6 months postoperatively
Time for wound Healing
Time for wound Healing in both groups
Time frame: Up to 6 months postoperatively
Postoperative bleeding
Compare Postoperative bleeding in both groups
Time frame: Up to 6 months postoperatively
Postoperative fecal incontinence
Compare post postoperative fecal incontinence in both groups
Time frame: Up to 6 months postoperatively
Postoperative urine retention
Compare postoperative urine retention in both groups
Time frame: Within 48 hours postoperatively
Pain intensity
Compare Pain intensity measured using Visual Analogue Scale between both groups (Visual Analogue Scale for Pain: ranges from 0 to 10 . Higher scores indicate a worse outcome {greater pain intensity})
Time frame: At day 1 and day 7 postoperatively
Sexual Function in both groups
Compare sexual function in both groups using Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ- 12). PISQ-12 score ranges from 0 to 48. Higher scores indicate better sexual function
Time frame: Up to 6 months postoperatively
Postoperative anal stenosis in both groups
Postoperative anal stenosis will be assessed by digital rectal examination and graded clinically as follows: * Mild: anal canal admits a well lubricated index finger. * Moderate: Forceful dilatation required to admit a well lubricated index finger. * Severe: Little finger cannot be admitted without forceful dilatation
Time frame: Up to 6 months postoperatively
Postoperative rectovaginal fistula in both groups
Postoperative rectovaginal fistula will be assessed using the following methods: * History: Passage of flatus or stool from the vagina. * Clinical examination: Digital rectal examination and per vaginal examination to detect induration or fistula opening. * MRI of the pelvis: Performed if fistula is suspected based on history or clinical examination to confirm the diagnosis.
Time frame: Up to 6 months postoperatively
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared because this is a small surgical trial with a limited number of participants, and sharing raw data could lead to identification of participants
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Cairo University