Anterior anal sphincter repair in patients with obstetric trauma.
Anterior sphincter repair for faecal incontinence related to obstetric trauma was performed in 55 patients: 32 with incontinence after delivery and 23 with late onset. Anal endosonography and physiological tests were performed before and after surgery. After a median of 15 (range 6-36) months, 42 patients had improved, 11 had not improved and two were awaiting colostomy closure. The postoperative squeeze pressure was increased (by 20 versus 5 cmH2O, P = 0.05) and the external sphincter was more frequently intact (32 of 35 versus five of 11, P = 0.003) in those with a good outcome. Patients with an intact external sphincter had higher postoperative squeeze pressures (50 versus 20 cmH2O, P = 0.004). Patients with late-onset incontinence were older than those who developed incontinence soon after delivery (median 59 versus 32 years, P < 0.001) and had longer pudendal nerve terminal motor latencies (2.3 versus 2.1 ms, P = 0.03). Failure of repair is related to persistent external sphincter defects. Late-onset incontinence, even with a prolonged pudendal nerve terminal motor latency, does not preclude a good outcome.
Engel
A F
AF
St Mark's Hospital, London, UK.
Kamm
M A
MA
Sultan
A H
AH
Bartram
C I
CI
Nicholls
R J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012007:Rectum / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography