Surgical treatment of fecal incontinence

Abstract

Feacal incontinence is a frequent problem often poorly recognized by physicians and unwillingly reported by patients. It is estimated to affect up to 25% of the population, depending on age and the definition used. Conservative methods, dietary modifications, instrumental procedures including biofeedback and electrostimulation, and pharmacotherapy form the basis of treatment. In those patients who fail to improve with such treatment, surgery is often indicated. Several options with different degrees of invasiveness are available, from injections of biological or synthetic material, sphincter reconstructions, to neosphincter creation of the patient's own muscles or implanted artificial hydraulic prostheses. Sacral neurostimulation is also an interesting option due to its low invasiveness and high effectiveness in selected cases. One of the disadvantages of some of the available methods are the high costs of the procedures. Effective treatment of faecal incontinence includes conservative management, diet, physiotherapy, gastrological treatment, and surgery. Copyright © 2009 Cornetis.