Incontinence treatment after rectal or perianal surgery

Abstract

Fecal incontinence is estimated to be present in approximately 4.8% of the healthy adult population, and the incidence of this disorder increases with age, affecting roughly 7% of healthy people over 65. Epidemiological data suggest that approximately 5% of the adult population were unable to control solid stools and up to 20% have problems at least with one type of incontinence (solid or liquid stools, gas) (Giebel et al. 1998).