Long-term results of anterior levatorplasty for fecal incontinence. A retrospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To review the long-term results of anterior levatorplasty for fecal incontinence.


METHODS
Fifty-four women with obstetric trauma and 31 with idiopathic incontinence responded to a questionnaire 1.5 to 18.5 (median, 8.5) years after anterior levatorplasty. Results were classified as excellent, good, fair, or poor.


RESULTS
An excellent or good result was reported in 40 of 54 (74 percent) patients with an obstetric injury and in 14 of 31 (45 percent) patients in the idiopathic group (P < 0.01). The presence of a cloaca (P < 0.05) and a young age (P < 0.05) were associated with a favorable outcome in the obstetric and idiopathic group, respectively. Length of follow-up and preoperative severity of incontinence were not significantly related to outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that every second patient undergoing anterior levatorplasty for fecal incontinence has a successful result that is sustained in the long term. Obstetric trauma, presence of a cloaca, and young age are associated with a successful outcome.
Osterberg
A
A
Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Graf
W
W
Holmberg
A
A
Påhlman
L
L
Ljung
A
A
Hakelius
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome