OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic tunnel-like peri-anterior superior iliac spine suspension(L-TASISS) or combined with stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) with outlet obstructive constipation (OOC).

METHODSA total of 119 POP patients complicated with OOC( II( to IIII( stage evaluated by POP-Q) received L-TASISS or combined with STARR in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2010 to January 2015. Clinical and follow-up data of these patients were analyzed retrospectively and compared before and after operation.

RESULTSAmong 119 cases, 51 cases(42.9%) underwent L-TASISS alone, and 68 cases (57.1%) received L-TASISS combined with STARR. All the 119 patients were successfully operated without conversion to open surgery. The operation time was (67.8±10.9) minutes, the intra-operative blood loss was (10.3±3.8) ml, the indwelling catheter time was (3.6±1.1) days, and hospital stay was (5.1±1.8) days. One month after operation, abdominal wall pain or stress occurred in 15 cases, of whom 3 cases were improved by local block injection, 1 case by incision stitches release, the rest ameliorated spontaneously within 3 months after surgery. No potential ureterostenosis, hydroureterosis, internal iliac vascular thrombosis resulting from compression of the mesh and other complications related to the mesh were found. One year after operation, all the patients were followed up. The OOC remission rate was 78.2%(93/119), of whom 76 cases were satisfied and 17 patients were completely satisfied. One case(0.8%) with stress urinary incontinence did not improve. Fifteen cases(12.6%) with algopareunia or dyspareunia did not achieve remission, but there was no new algopareunia or dyspareunia case. Eleven patients (9.2%) presented recurrence of symptoms, of whom 9 cases(7.6%) complained of sensation of incomplete evacuation. Two cases(1.7%) were graded as POP-Q II(, and 1 case (0.8%) as POP-Q III( after surgery. Constipation Score of all the patients was 1.4±0.9 (compared to 7.8±3.6 preoperatively) according to Rome III( criteria. Enterocele occurred in 53 cases (44.5%) preoperatively corresponded with only 1 case (0.8%) after operation (χ(2)=64.77, P=0.000). One hundred and six cases (86.6%) with defecation difficulties and 87 cases (73.1%) with sensation of incomplete evacuation before operation were significantly improved after surgery, corresponding with 7(5.9%) and 9 (7.6%) symptomatic cases respectively (χ(2)=155.78, P=0.000). Three cases (2.5%) with preoperative fecal incontinence symptoms were improved after operation as well.

CONCLUSIONThe procedure of L-TASISS or combined with STARR for POP patients with OCC has good short-term efficacy, and is safe and feasible.