Surgical Treatment Of Fecal Incontinence Research Articles

Surgical treatment of fecal incontinence

This article describes the surgical treatment of fecal incontinence. There are many surgical methods for fecal incontinence, and each treatment has its own advantages and disadvantages and indications. The appropriate surgical procedure should be selected according to the patient's history, anatomical structure and severity of incontinence. Injectable bulking agents is suitable for passive fecal incontinence. Sphincteroplasty is suitable for patients with sphincter injury caused by vaginal delivery or surgical trauma. Sacral nerve stimulation and posterior tibial nerve stimulation are relatively conservative methods. Gracilomyoplasty, artificial anal sphincter or magnetic anal sphincter can be used in the treatment of refractory fecal incontinence, but with many complications. Colostomy is the ideal choice for patients who have failed to respond to conservative treatment and cannot undergo these procedures.

Sacral Neuromodulation for Fecal Incontinence and Constipation: Evidence, Programming and Long-term Management

Over the last two decades, sacral neuromodulation (SNM) has established its role in the treatment of functional pelvic organ-/pelvic floor disorders. Even though the mode of action is not fully understood, SNM has become the preferred surgical treatment of fecal incontinence. A literature search was carried out on programming sacral neuromodulation and long-term outcomes in treating fecal incontinence and constipation.Sacral neuromodulation was found to be successful in the long term. Over the years, the spectrum of indications has expanded, and now includes patients presenting with anal sphincter lesions. The use of SNM for low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is currently under clinical investigation. Findings of SNM for constipation are less convincing. In several randomised crossover studies, no success was demonstrated, even though it is possible that subgroups may benefit from the treatment. Currently the application cannot be recommended in general.The pulse generator programming sets the electrode configuration, amplitude, pulse frequency and pulse width. Usually pulse frequency and pulse width follow a default setting (14Hz, 210s), while electrode configuration and stimulation amplitude are adjusted individually to the patient need and perception of stimulation.Despite low infection rates and few electrode-/pulse generator dysfunctions, up to 65% of patients require surgical reintervention during long term follow-up - in 50% of cases because of battery depletion, which is an expected event. At least one reprogramming is necessary in about 75% of the patients during the course of the treatment, mostly because of changes in effectiveness, but rarely because of pain. Regular follow-up visits appear to be advisable. Sacral neuromodulation can be considered to be a safe and effective long-term therapy of fecal incontinence. To optimise the therapeutic effect, a structured follow-up regime is advisable.

Japanese Practice Guidelines for Fecal Incontinence Part 3 -Surgical Treatment for Fecal Incontinence, Fecal Incontinence in a Special Conditions- English Version.

In Japan, the surgical treatment for fecal incontinence (FI) can be performed using minimally invasive surgery, such as anal sphincteroplasty and sacral neuromodulation (SNM), as well as antegrade continence enema (ACE), graciloplasty, and stoma construction. In addition, currently, several other procedures, including biomaterial injection therapy, artificial bowel sphincter (ABS), and magnetic anal sphincter (MAS), are unavailable in Japan but are performed in Western countries. The evidence level of surgical treatment for FI is generally low, except for novel procedures, such as SNM, which was covered by health insurance in Japan since 2014. Although the surgical treatment algorithm for FI has been chronologically modified, it should be sequentially selected, starting from the most minimally invasive procedure, as FI is a benign condition. Injuries to the neural system or spinal cord often cause disorders of the sensory and motor nerves that innervate the anus, rectum, and pelvic floor, leading to the difficulty in controlling bowel movement or FI and/or constipation. FI and constipation are closely associated; when one improves, the other tends to deteriorate. Patients with severe cognitive impairment may present with active soiling, referred to as “incontinence” episodes that occur as a consequence of abnormal behavior, and may also experience passive soiling.

What Is Fecal Incontinence That Urologists Need to Know?

Fecal incontinence (FI) undoubtedly reduces quality of life and adversely affects the social life of the affected individual. FI has a higher prevalence with age and has an equivalent prevalence to urinary incontinence in patients with genitourinary disease, but is often not confirmed in these cases. A thorough investigation is needed to diagnose FI, with the common etiology of this condition in mind, and several questionnaires can be used to identify symptoms. The physical examination contains digital rectal examination carries out to identify the patient’s condition. Ultrasound, colonoscopy, and rectum pressure test can be performed. Patients educated in diet-related issues, bowel movements, and defecation mechanism. Nonoperative options such as diet control and Kegel exercise should be performed at first. Surgical treatment of FI is considered when conservative management and oral medications produce no improvement. Surgical options include less invasive procedures like bulking agent injections, and more involved approaches from sacral nerve stimulation to invasive direct sphincter repair and artificial bowel sphincter insertion. Good outcomes in FI cases have also recently been reported for barrier devices.

Обзор методов оперативного инконтиненции у детей

Обзор методов оперативного инконтиненции у детей

Reprint of: Management of fecal incontinence: Surgical treatement

Fecal incontinence is not a rare condition. In the majority of patients, no operative means result in symptom relief. Only if these fail surgical intervention is indicated. Various new surgical options have evolved over the last decades. The evidence of their efficacy varies substantially. The mainstays of surgical treatment of fecal incontinence are sphincteroplasty and sacral nerve stimulation. Data of other techniques, like posterior tibial nerve stimulation, radiofrequency energy delivery and bulking agents, are less robust. The article aims to outline the currently commonly accepted and frequently applied surgical techniques for treatment of fecal incontinence and their results and to present novel techniques, which carry potential for the future.

Systematic Review of Surgical Treatments for Fecal Incontinence.

No systematic review has examined the collective randomized and nonrandomized evidence for fecal incontinence treatment effectiveness across the range of surgical treatments. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy, comparative effectiveness, and harms of surgical treatments for fecal incontinence in adults. Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, as well as hand searches of systematic reviews, were used as data sources. Two investigators screened abstracts for eligibility (surgical treatment of fecal incontinence in adults, published 1980-2015, randomized controlled trial or observational study with comparator; case series were included for adverse effects). Full-text articles were reviewed for patient-reported outcomes. We extracted data, assessed study risk of bias, and evaluated strength of evidence for each treatment-outcome combination. Surgical treatments for fecal incontinence were included interventions. Fecal incontinence episodes/severity, quality of life, urgency, and pain were measured. Twenty-two studies met inclusion criteria (13 randomized trials and 9 observational trials); 53 case series were included for harms. Most patients were middle-aged women with mixed FI etiologies. Intervention and outcome heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis. Evidence was insufficient for all of the surgical comparisons. Few studies examined the same comparisons; no studies were high quality. Functional improvements varied; some authors excluded those patients with complications or lost to follow-up from analyses. Complications ranged from minor to major (infection, bowel obstruction, perforation, and fistula) and were most frequent after the artificial bowel sphincter (22%-100%). Major surgical complications often required reoperation; few required permanent colostomy. Most evidence is intermediate term, with small patient samples and substantial methodologic limitations. Evidence was insufficient to support clinical or policy decisions for any surgical treatments for fecal incontinence in adults. More invasive surgical procedures had substantial complications. The lack of compliance with study reporting standards is a modifiable impediment in the field. Future studies should focus on longer-term outcomes and attempt to identify subgroups of adults who might benefit from specific procedures.

Management of fecal incontinence

Fecal incontinence is not a rare condition. In the majority of patients, no operative means result in symptom relief. Only if these fail surgical intervention is indicated. Various new surgical options have evolved over the last decades. The evidence of their efficacy varies substantially. The mainstays of surgical treatment of fecal incontinence are sphincteroplasty and sacral nerve stimulation. Data of other techniques, like posterior tibial nerve stimulation, radiofrequency energy delivery and bulking agents, are less robust. The article aims to outline the currently commonly accepted and frequently applied surgical techniques for treatment of fecal incontinence and their results and to present novel techniques, which carry potential for the future.

Surgical therapies for fecal incontinence

Fecal incontinence is a significant source of morbidity and decreased quality of life (QOL) for many. Until recent years, few therapies beyond medical management were available for patients. Surgical treatment of fecal incontinence has evolved from colostomy and direct repair of muscle defects to interventional techniques such as nerve stimulation and bulking agents. We review the most recent surgical options for the treatment of fecal incontinence within the context of established therapies. Overlapping sphincteroplasty is an established therapy that improves continence and QOL, although results deteriorate over time. Implanted artificial bowel sphincter has a 100% complication rate and 80% are explanted over time. Sacral nerve stimulation has minimal risk and more durable long-term improvement in continence. Less invasive versions of nerve stimulation are being researched. Injectable biomaterials have shown some promise, although durability of results is not clear. Novel therapies, including muscle cell transfer and pelvic slings are currently being investigated. Surgical therapies for fecal incontinence continue to evolve and show promise in improving QOL with a lower risk profile. Effective valuation of these therapies is currently limited by heterogeneous studies, short duration of follow up, and inconsistent outcome measures.

Advances in the Surgical Treatment of Faecal Incontinence

Faecal incontinence is a common condition. Once conservative therapy has failed, surgical management of this problem is required. Over the last decade, neuromodulation has emerged as an effective and safe treatment. The most widely used form of neuromodulation is sacral nerve stimulation. The other less commonly used techniques are posterior tibial nerve stimulation and pudendal nerve stimulation. Anterior sphincteroplasty still has an important role to play in selected cases. If these treatments fail, then other therapies need to be considered. Recent advances in anal sphincter bulking agents and artificial sphincter devices offer some hope for these patients.

Surgical Treatment for Fecal Incontinence

便失禁に関する外科治療の報告は多数存在するが，概してそのエビデンスレベルは低く，疾患の性質上，ランダム化比較試験などの大規模試験が困難である．肛門括約筋形成術などの標準的治療から現在のトピックスである仙骨神経刺激療法などの低侵襲手術の試みが欧米を中心に行われており，本邦における外科治療のガイドライン作成が急務である． 便失禁の外科治療が今回のテーマである「標準化」となるためには，それぞれの治療法の特徴を十分に周知する必要がある．そのために，本邦で行われている肛門括約筋形成術，有茎薄筋移植術やストーマ造設術以外に，現時点では本邦において未承認の仙骨神経刺激療法などの外科治療も含めて文献的考察を加えて紹介する．

Results of Traditional Surgical Treatment for Fecal Incontinence

The most common surgical treatment for fecal incontinence is sphincteroplasty, but this treatment option requires a localized anatomic sphincter injury and outcomes vary and tend to deteriorate with time. Other surgical techniques have therefore been developed. Postanal repair was designed to restore the anorectal angle with muscle plication of the posterior aspect of the anal canal. Initial improvement rates are acceptable, but only a small proportion of patients reports complete alleviation of symptoms and outcomes deteriorate with time. Suboptimal long-term outcome has lead to decreased use of the procedure. Electrostimulation of a transposed gracilis muscle around the anal canal can yield excellent results in selected patients. Complication rates are high when performed in nonspecialist centers, and the technique is currently not approved in the USA. Artificial bowel sphincter can restore acceptable anal continence and is used for treatment of end-stage fecal incontinence. A problematic high incidence of infection and erosion problems has been reported in some studies, which can hopefully be improved with a more stringent sterile protocol and centralization of the procedure to select specialist centers.

Anterior Sphincteroplasty for Fecal Incontinence: A Single Center Experience in the Era of Sacral Neuromodulation

Anterior sphincteroplasty is the surgical treatment of choice for patients with fecal incontinence associated with an external anal sphincter defect. Recently it has been reported that patients with such a defect may also benefit from sacral neuromodulation. The success of this technique raises the question whether anterior sphincteroplasty still deserves a place in the surgical treatment of fecal incontinence. This study investigated the outcome of anterior sphincteroplasty in a large cohort of patients. A consecutive series of 172 patients underwent anterior overlapping sphincteroplasty. A standardized questionnaire concerning current continence status, overall satisfaction, and quality of life was used to assess the outcome. Follow-up data were obtained from 75% of the 160 patients who were still alive at the time of the survey. After a median follow-up of 111 (range, 12-207) months, the outcome was still good to excellent in 44 patients (37%). In 28 patients (23%), the outcome was classified as moderate because these patients still experienced regular incontinence for stool. However, they were satisfied with their outcome because their incontinence episodes had been reduced by 50% or more. The outcome was poor in 40% of the patients. Predictors of worse outcome were older age (> or =50 years) at surgery, deep wound infection, and isolated external anal sphincter defects. Patients with follow-up of five or more years had the same outcome as patients with follow-up of fewer than five years. Anterior sphincteroplasty results in an acceptable to excellent long-term outcome in 60% of patients, especially in those under the age of 50 years at surgery.

National trends and costs of surgical treatment for female fecal incontinence

The objective of the study was to describe national trends, hospital charges, and costs of inpatient surgical treatment for female fecal incontinence in the United States. We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1998 to 2003 to identify women who underwent surgery for fecal incontinence using International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision-CM coding. We examined national trends in procedures, patient demographics, outcomes, hospital charges, and costs. Multiple linear regression was used to identify variables associated with increased costs. A total of 21,547 women underwent inpatient surgery for fecal incontinence during the study period. This number has remained stable, with 3423 procedures in 1998 and 3509 procedures in 2003. The overall risk of complications was 15.4% and the risk of death was 0.02%, which remained stable during the study period. Total charges increased from $34 million in 1998 to $57.5 million in 2003, translating to a total cost of $24.5 million in 2003. Variables associated with increased costs included number of procedures per admission, length of stay, patient age, and race (P < .05). The number of women undergoing surgical treatment for fecal incontinence is stable but has a significant economic impact on the health care system.

Evolving Therapy for Fecal Incontinence

Fecal incontinence is common and can be socially debilitating. Nonoperative management of fecal incontinence includes dietary modification, antidiarrheal medication, and biofeedback. The traditional surgical approach is sphincteroplasty if there is a defect of the external sphincter. Innovative treatment modalities have included sacral nerve stimulation, injectable implants, dynamic graciloplasty, and artificial bowel sphincter. This review was designed to assess the various surgical options available for fecal incontinence and critically evaluate the evidence behind these procedures. The algorithm in the surgical treatment of fecal incontinence is shifting. Injectable therapy and sacral nerve stimulation are likely to be the mainstay in future treatment of moderate and severe fecal incontinence, respectively. Sphincteroplasty is limited to a small group of patients with isolated defect of the external sphincter. A stoma, although effective, can be avoided in most cases.

The effect of surgery on quality of life in patients with faecal incontinence of obstetric origin

To evaluate the results of surgery in the treatment of faecal incontinence of obstetric origin and assess the effect of treatment on the quality of life of these patients. A consecutive series of 43 patients, who had undergone surgery for severe faecal incontinence of obstetric aetiology between March 1990 and March 2004, was studied. The following studies were carried out: clinical evaluation, anorectal manometry, anal endosonography (from 1996 on) and measurement of the pudendal nerve terminal motor latency. The degree of incontinence, both preoperative and at the end of follow-up was evaluated using the Cleveland Clinic Score (CCS). Quality of life assessment was made using the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQL). The study was completed on 35 (87%) of the 43 patients. The mean age in the series was 53 years, (range 28-73). After an average follow-up of 50.4 months (range 4-132) the mean CCS had reduced significantly, passing from 16 (range 8-20) to 6 (range 0-18; P < 0.001). Pudendal neuropathy was found to be a factor of poor prognosis. The results of the quality of life questionnaire at the end of follow-up were: lifestyle 3.5 (SD 0.65), coping/behaviour 3.1 (SD 0.81), depression/self perception 3.7 (SD 0.75) and embarrassment 3.3 (SD 0.91). There is a statistically significant linear relationship between incontinence measured on the CCS and quality of life. For the 14 patients undergoing surgery since the publication of the FIQL questionnaire, it was possible to complete the questionnaire preoperatively, with significant improvement found on each of the four scales (lifestyle 1.7 vs 3.5; coping/behaviour 1.4 vs 3.2; depression 2.2 vs 3.8; embarrassment 1.8 vs 3.2; P < 0.001). Surgical treatment of faecal incontinence of obstetric origin achieves good results in a high percentage of patients and has a positive effect on their quality of life. The existence of prolonged preoperative pudendal nerve motor latency indicates a poor prognosis.

Anterior sphincter plication and levatorplasty in the treatment of faecal incontinence

The surgical treatment of faecal incontinence has been traditionally divided into sphincteroplasty for sphincter disruption and postanal repair for idiopathic cases. However, many studies have failed to show a correlation between outcome and change in the anorectal angle. This study was carried out to determine the effectiveness of anterior sphincteroplasty and levatorplasty in the treatment of faecal incontinence, regardless of aetiology. Thirty consecutive patients underwent surgery, 14 with traumatic sphincter injuries and 16 with idiopathic faecal incontinence. A satisfactory clinical result was obtained in ten (71 per cent) patients in the traumatic group and in ten (62 per cent) in the idiopathic group. This was associated with a significant increase in maximum voluntary contraction pressure in the traumatic group and in those patients who had a good result in the idiopathic group (traumatic: preoperative median 80 cmH2O (range 50-115 cmH2O) versus postoperative 115 cmH2O (75-290 cmH2O), P less than 0.005; idiopathic: preoperative 105 cmH2O (45-190 cmH2O) versus postoperative 120 cmH2O (45-230 cmH2O), P less than 0.05; Wilcoxon paired signed ranks test). There was also significant improvement in anal sensation in the upper anal canal in both groups (traumatic: preoperative mean 17 mA versus postoperative 11 mA, P less than 0.05; idiopathic: preoperative 24 mA versus postoperative 9 mA, P less than 0.02). The anorectal angle increased in the idiopathic group at rest (preoperative median 105 degrees (range 86-152 degrees) versus postoperative 118 degrees (95-180 degrees), P less than 0.05). In conclusion, the type of approach (anterior or posterior) and the anorectal angle are irrelevant to the outcome of surgery for idiopathic faecal incontinence. Success appears to be related more to improved sphincter pressure and anal sensation.

Advances in the Surgical Treatment of Fecal Incontinence

Although surgery for fecal incontinence has been shown to be effective, it is still very challenging and sometimes frustrating. Overlapping sphincteroplasty, by far the most common procedure, is effective in patients with sphincter defects; however, recent data suggest that success rates tend to deteriorate over time. A thorough preoperative evaluation incorporates numerous factors, including patient characteristics, severity of incontinence, type and size of the sphincter defect as assessed by physical examination, anal ultrasound, and anorectal physiology studies including anal manometry, electromyography, and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency assessment. The use of these evaluation methods has allowed better patient assignment for a variety of new alternative treatment options. Innovations in the surgical treatment of fecal incontinence range from simple, office-based sphincter augmentation techniques to surgical implantation of mechanical devices. This article reviews 5 alternative surgical treatment options for fecal incontinence: injection of carbon-coated beads in the submucosa of the anal canal, radiofrequency energy delivery, stimulated graciloplasty, artificial bowel sphincter, and sacral nerve stimulation.

Recent advances in the surgical treatment of faecal incontinence.

Improved imaging and refined technology have led to a number of recent advances in the surgical treatment of faecal incontinence. Original articles, identified using a computer database (Medline), and recently published abstracts of meetings were selected on the basis of greatest clinical relevance; these were reviewed. Ultrasonographic characterization has led to improved therapeutic strategies. Simple structural damage is readily identified and external sphincter repair results in a good outcome for a majority of patients. For more complex structural damage, or for the newly recognized primary internal sphincter degeneration, alternative treatment strategies are emerging. The electrically stimulated gracilis neosphincter and the artificial bowel sphincter offer good results. The latter may be a more simple operation. For structurally intact but weak sphincters, sacral nerve stimulation is a promising therapy. Other therapies, such as antegrade irrigation, may be helpful for patients with neurological disorders. Better imaging, refined classification and new operations are leading to improved surgical techniques for faecal incontinence.

New Options for the Treatment of Fecal Incontinence

Fecal incontinence, the loss of anal sphincter control leading to the unwanted release of stool or gas, is a physical and psychological handicap that has a tremendous impact on an individual's quality of life. Although medical management is the mainstay of therapy for fecal incontinence, the main focus in this review is on invasive techniques with a goal of highlighting newer technologic and therapeutic advancements. While the standard surgical treatment for fecal incontinence still remains direct sphincter repair with an overlapping sphincteroplasty, this review concentrates specifically on biofeedback, the Procon incontinence device, local injection of synthetic materials, radio frequency energy (Secca procedure), antegrade colonic enemas, sphincteroplasty, gluteoplasty, graciloplasty both stimulated and non-stimulated, the artificial bowel sphincter, and sacral nerve stimulation.