Journal article

Publication year: 2013

Pages: 1416-1422

Journal: Colorectal Disease

Volume number: 15

Issue number: 11

ISSN: 1462-8910

eISSN: 1463-1318

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.12333

Publisher: Wiley

Abstract: 

AimIn many pelvic floor disorders, the perineal body is damaged or destroyed. There is still a considerable variation in anatomical descriptions of the perineal body and even more debate with regard to its attachments and relationships. Cadaveric dissections do not always reflect the functional behaviour of structures in the pelvis and description of live anatomy on imaging studies is not always reliable. This study aimed to define the anatomy of the perineal body in patients with rectocele during the live dissection required for minimally invasive surgical repair.

MethodFrom January 2007 to December 2009 consecutive patients requiring surgery for third-degree rectocele and symptoms of obstructed defaecation were recruited. Participants underwent dissection of the perineal body, rectum and vagina preliminary to a tissue fixation system, an operation which inserts a tensioned tape to repair the perineal body.

ResultsThirty Caucasian female patients, mean age 61 (range 47-87) years, mean parity 2.6 (range 1-5), were included. Live dissection demonstrated that the perineal body was divided into two parts, joined by a stretched central part, anchored laterally by the deep transverse perineii muscle to the descending ramus of the pubic bone. The mean longitudinal length of the perineal body was 4.5 (3.5-5.5) cm, accounting for 50% of the posterior vaginal support.

ConclusionIn women with low rectocele, the perineal body appears to be divided into two parts, severely displaced behind the ischial tuberosities.

Harvard Citation style: Wagenlehner, F., Del Amo, E., Santoro, G. and Petros, P. (2013) Live anatomy of the perineal body in patients with third-degree rectocele, Colorectal Disease, 15(11), pp. 1416-1422. https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.12333

APA Citation style: Wagenlehner, F., Del Amo, E., Santoro, G., & Petros, P. (2013). Live anatomy of the perineal body in patients with third-degree rectocele. Colorectal Disease. 15(11), 1416-1422. https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.12333