title: The surgical treatment of anal incontinence.
abstract: This study is review of 31 patients undergoing surgery for anal incontinence. Three groups of patients are defined--those with incontinence due to trauma (nine patients), to a combination of trauma and degeneration (five patients), and to degeneration alone (17 patients). Two surgical techniques were used--either a direct repair of the anal sphincter or a postanal repair of the levator ani muscles and external sphincter (Parks operation). In the trauma group and the combined group the more common method used was a direct repair (ten patients)--five underwent a Parks operation. In the degeneration group all but one patient underwent a Parks operation. A defunctioning proximal colostomy was carried out in only four patients--all with incontinence due to trauma. Satisfactory continence was restored in 80% of these patients. Although this is a small series, the results are considered worthwhile and greater awareness and use of the above technique is recommended.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000601:surgery; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged