A new laparoscopic approach for enterocoele repair

Abstract

ObjectiveA thorough understanding of the anatomy of the defective rectovaginal septum and vaginal supports is necessary for adequate corrective surgery. We describe a new technique for laparoscopic enterocoele repair.MethodBetween February 1995 and April 1996, 40 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic dissection and enterocoele repair. Surgery was succesfully completed in all cases.ResultsAverage time of surgery was 35 min (range 15–60) and the average length of inpatient stay was 2.2 days (1–7). One complication (bladder perforation) was repaired laparoscopically, and all patients were able to return to normal activities within 1–2 weeks.ConclusionThis paper provides details of a promising new technique for laparoscopic repair of enterocoele, which has been shown to be effective in this first cohort of patients. Larger numbers and longer follow‐up will be required to fully establish the place of this technique.