Diagnosis and treatment of faecal incontinence – the current state of knowledge, literature review

Abstract

Incontinence significantly affects the daily functioning of patients and can severely deteriorate their quality of life, leading to social disability. The most common causes of gas and faecal incontinence include obstetric injuries (mechanical trauma to the sphincter muscles or stretching of the pudendal nerve during vaginal delivery) and complications after anorectal procedures. The incidence of faecal incontinence is estimated by various authors between 2.2 and 25%. The problem affects all age groups, but mainly the elderly, with higher rates among women than men. The paper presents a review of diagnostic and therapeutic methods for incontinence based on the latest reports. Most researchers agree that, except for extensive sphincter injuries, conservative methods are the mainstay treatment for faecal incontinence, while instrumental or surgical procedures are used in the event of their failure. Despite the multitude of therapeutic methods for this difficult disease, there is no ideal procedure as the aetiology of incontinence is usually multifactorial, hence the therapeutic management should be incorporated on several levels. Treatment should be performed in a centre dedicated to proctological patients, equipped with appropriate diagnostic tools and specialist personnel.