文摘
Background Fecal incontinence is defined by the unintentional loss of solid or liquid stool, and anal incontinence includes leakage of gas and/or fecal incontinence. Anal–fecal (AF) incontinence is not a diagnosis but a symptom. Many patients hide the problem from their families, friends, and even their doctors. Epidemiologic studies indicate a prevalence between 7 and 15-, up to 30- in hospitals, and up to 70- in long-term care settings. AF incontinence causes significant socio-economic burden. Pathophysiology and diagnostics There is no widely accepted approach for classifying AF incontinence available. Currently, AF incontinence is classified by separate systems based on etiology, pathophysiology, type of leakage, or symptom severity scales. AF continence is provided by the structural and functional integrity of the anorectum and, therefore, the causes of AF incontinence are mostly multifactorial. AF continence is maintained by anatomical factors, rectoanal sensation, and rectal compliance. AF incontinence occurs when one or more continence-maintaining factors are disturbed. The diagnostic approach comprises muscle and nerve injuries by iatrogenic, obstetric or surgical trauma, descending pelvic floor or associated diseases. Detection of reduced rectal compliance by rectal inflammation and disturbance of rectal visceral sensitivity by polyneuropathy are of particular interest. A basic diagnostic work-up is sufficient to characterize the different manifestations of fecal incontinence in most of the cases. This includes patient history with daily stool protocol, clinical and endoscopic investigation. In specific cases, additional anorectal investigations may warranted. Therapy Therapeutic interventions are focused on the individual symptoms and should be provided in close cooperation with gastroenterologists, surgeons, gynecologists, urologists, physiotherapeutics, and psychologists. Surgical treatment, which includes stapled transanal resection of the rectum (STARR) for rectoanal prolapse and sacral nerve stimulation for chronic constipation and AF incontinence, should be considered only after conservative treatment options have been exhausted.