An enterocele is a protrusion of the
small intestines
The small intestine or small bowel is an organ in the gastrointestinal tract where most of the absorption of nutrients from food takes place. It lies between the stomach and large intestine, and receives bile and pancreatic juice through the pa ...
and
peritoneum
The peritoneum is the serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal cavity or coelom in amniotes and some invertebrates, such as annelids. It covers most of the intra-abdominal (or coelomic) organs, and is composed of a layer of mesoth ...
into the
vagina
In mammals, the vagina is the elastic, muscular part of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vestibule to the cervix. The outer vaginal opening is normally partly covered by a thin layer of mucosal tissue called the hymen ...
l canal.
It may be treated transvaginally or by
laparoscopy
Laparoscopy () is an operation performed in the abdomen or pelvis using small incisions (usually 0.5–1.5 cm) with the aid of a camera. The laparoscope aids diagnosis or therapeutic interventions with a few small cuts in the abdomen.Medli ...
.
An enterocele may also obstruct the rectum, leading to symptoms of
obstructed defecation
Obstructed defecation syndrome (abbreviated as ODS, with many synonymous terms) is a major cause of functional constipation (primary constipation), of which it is considered a subtype. It is characterized by difficult and/or incomplete emptying of ...
.
Enteroceles can form after treatment for gynecological cancers.
See also
*
Dolichodouglas A Dolichodouglas (word derived from ancient Greek Δόλιχος (dolichos), the long distance in running and the Douglas' pouch) is the medical term describing an abnormally profound Douglas' pouch (recto-uterine pouch). It may be congenital or ac ...
References
External links
{{Womens-health-stub
Noninflammatory disorders of female genital tract
Women's health