[Fecal incontinence. Patient assessment and classical treatments].
Fecal incontinence is a very common disease but its exact prevalence is largely unknown. The condition gives rise to personal and social stigma with severe repercussions for the patient. It can be caused by a large number of physiopathologic disorders and consequently there is a wide variety of treatments. In this article we review the incidence and etiology of fecal incontinence, physical and instrumental examinations (with description of the components of the anorectal laboratory), traditional medical and surgical treatments and, lastly, the results of sphincteroplasties.
Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestiva, Unidad de Cirugía Colorrectal, Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge, Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. cdelrio@scs.es
Carlos
C
del Río
Sebastiano
S
Biondo
Joan
J
Martí-Ragué
D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans