Rectocele
A rectocele is a protrusion of part of the rectal wall into the vagina.
This is a protrusion of the rectum into the vagina, which occurs due to laxity of the posterior vaginal wall. Rectoceles typically do not cause problems, unless they are too large and protrude through the vaginal opening, or if stool becomes trapped in them, making bowel movements difficult.
Treatment
We generally just monitor rectoceles, but if it becomes bothersome, we recommend surgical treatment.
The procedure is called posterior colporrhaphy, in which we strengthen the posterior vaginal wall with fascial sutures. The procedure can also be combined with reshaping the vaginal entrance (introitoplasty). The operation is performed under local anesthesia. Similar to cystoceles, we rarely opt for mesh placement in rectoceles.
