New options in the treatment of ano-rectal incontinence
Achtari, C.; Meyer, S.; De Grandi, P.
Revue Medicale Suisse 1(40): 2570
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1660-9379 PMID: 16353838 Document Number: 585875
Ano-rectal incontinence is known to affect about 2% of the population. Main risk factors are traumatic delivery and previous anal surgery. All patients should have a trial of conservative treatment. Patients with major external anal sphincter defect have a 70 to 80% improvement of their symptoms after an overlap sphincter repair Unfortunately, these results deteriorate over time. Sacral nerve modulation improves continence and quality of life in 75 to 100% of patients with various aetiologies. In case of idiopathic internal sphincter degeneration, sphincter augmentation with bulking agents seems to be the least expensive option.