Outcomes After Combined Perineoplasty With Overlapping Anal Sphincteroplasty for Fecal Incontinence

Abstract

In Brief Objectives: To assess long-term fecal incontinence symptoms after combined perineoplasty with overlapping anal sphincteroplasty using the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI) questionnaire. Methods: A retrospective review identified all 22 subjects who had undergone perineoplasty with overlapping anal sphincteroplasty by 1 surgeon over a 6-year period. Sixteen subjects returned FISI questionnaires via mail, and demographics on all 22 were recorded. Results: Only 1 of 22 subjects reported fecal incontinence 6 weeks postoperatively. Sixteen of 22 (72%) individuals returned the FISI questionnaires with mean postoperative follow-up period of 37 months (range, 6–67 months). Of these 16, 12 patients experienced only 1 to 3 episodes of fecal incontinence of liquid and solid stool per month or less. Only 1 patient reported daily incontinence of solid stool. Conclusion: Long-term follow-up by FISI questionnaire revealed continued satisfaction with symptom control and overall bowel function. Combined perineoplasty with overlapping anal sphincteroplasty for fecal incontinence may be an effective method for decreasing symptom frequency. Long-term follow-up with the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index questionnaire suggests continued satisfaction with symptom control in patients who had undergone perineoplasty and overlapping anal sphincteroplasty for fecal incontinence.