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What Are the Risks of Rectocele Surgery?

Processes like childbirth can cause a rectocele, which happens when the fascia, a tissue wall dividing the vagina and the rectum, weakens. The front wall of the rectum then protrudes into the vaginal area. Rectocele surgery is performed to correct a rectocele.

  1. Symptoms

    • You may experience no symptoms from a mild rectocele. A more severe rectocele can cause symptoms like difficulty with bowel movements, rectal pressure or a feeling of rectal fullness, or a bulge of tissue that may show through the vaginal opening.

    Related Condtions

    • Other conditions may accompany rectocele. These include uterine prolapse, where the uterus lowers into the vaginal canal; cystocele, where the bladder herniates into the vagina; and enterocele, where the small intestines push down against the vagina.

    When to Consider Surgery

    • Surgery can help most when the rectocele protrudes outside the vaginal opening. Related conditions can also be repaired during the same surgery.

    Risks

    • Complications from rectocele surgery are rare but can include rectal, bowel or bladder injury, fistula (abnormal connection between two organs), urinary retention, painful intercourse or infection.

    Considerations

    • You may wish to delay rectocele surgery until you are finished having children, as the condition is fairly common after childbirth. Surgery may not relieve all symptoms associated with a rectocele.

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