title: Perineal puborectalis sling operation for fecal incontinence: preliminary report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to evaluate the safety efficacy, and impact on quality of life of the perineal puborectalis sling operation for fecal incontinence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Since August 2001, we performed the perineal puborectalis sling operation on eight patients with idiopathic fecal incontinence. A specially designed polyester mesh sling was introduced along the puborectalis muscle, from a posterior perianal incision, running to a small suprapubic incision. The ends were tied together with moderate tension. Patients were evaluated with the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index, the Cleveland Clinic Score of Incontinence, and the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale. Manometry and defecography were performed before and six months after the operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight patients (7 females; mean age, 63 (range, 44-77) years) were evaluated. A wound infection developed in one patient, which subsided with antibiotics. A rectal ulcer developed in one patient, necessitating sling removal. In the remaining seven patients, the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index improved from 27 to 9, and the Cleveland Clinic Score of Incontinence improved from 13 to 5 (P < 0.05). All parameters in the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale improved: lifestyle from 2.1 to 3.6; coping/behavior from 1.5 to 3.4; depression/self perception from 2.3 to 3.7; and embarrassment from 2 to 3.6 (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between preoperative and postoperative maximum resting pressure and maximum squeeze pressure. However, the median anorectal angle on defecography after the operation was significantly reduced (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We believe that the perineal puborectalis sling operation is technically feasible, with low morbidity, and can be an effective procedure for idiopathic fecal incontinence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Proctology, Social Health Insurance Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. yamanamd@tky.3web.ne.jp
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamana
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iwadare
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D019841:Defecography; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D009132:Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D011091:Polyesters; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013526:Surgical Mesh
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters