To compare the efficacy of subtotal colectomy with anterior rectal suspension and subtotal colectomy with transvaginal repair for patients with slow transit constipation combined with rectocele.

This retrospective study examined the data of patients with slow transit constipation combined with rectocele who underwent operations from January 2002 to January 2009. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those underwent subtotal colectomy with anterior rectal suspension (group A, n=13); and those underwent subtotal colectomy with transvaginal repair (group B; n=19).

The difference of general information on two groups of patients before operations was not statistically significant Furthermore,the difference was not statisti-cally significant between two groups about the amount of operation time, the volume of bleeding in operation, early postoperative complications, the degree of improvement of constipation symptoms, Wexner anal function score. However, after one year of follow-up, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) between two groups about gastrointestinal life quality index score, the degree of improvement of constipation symptoms, constipation relapse rates.

Compared with subtotal colectomy with transvaginal repair, subtotal colectomy with anterior rectal suspension was a more effective surgical method for patients with slow transit constipation combined with rectocele.