title: Idiopathic fecal incontinence.
abstract: Pelvic floor dysfunction is related to neuropathic injury to the pelvic floor musculature. Clinically, the patient may present with genital prolapse or urinary or fecal incontinence. For a successful outcome, the physician must consider all pelvic compartments in the evaluation and treatment of patients with these disorders. Disorders of the posterior compartment are the least familiar to the gynecologist. Idiopathic fecal incontinence, a posterior compartment defect, is defined as a progressive deterioration of anal sphincter function in patients with no history of sphincter damage. This review discusses the latest findings about idiopathic fecal incontinence within the context of pelvic floor dysfunction and neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Methodist Hospital of Indiana, Indianapolis 46202.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Caputo
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Benson
mesh_terms: D004576:Electromyography; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic