title: Elastomer implants in faecal incontinence: a blind, randomized placebo-controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test efficacy and safety of polydimethylsiloxane elastomer implants, a silicone biomaterial, in patients with severe faecal incontinence related to an impaired internal anal sphincter.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were randomized to receive three injections of 2.5 mL of either physiological saline or polydimethylsiloxane elastomer. After local anaesthesia, an 18 gauge, 2.5-in needle was inserted through the perianal skin and laid down into the intersphincteric space. Treatment (saline or polydimethylsiloxane elastomer) was administered by means of a ratchet gun. Three injections of 2.5 mL each were performed in the area of the internal anal sphincter at 3, 7 and 11 o'clock positions. Main end point was the percentage of subjects in each treatment arm experiencing a successful treatment, defined as a Cleveland Clinic Florida-Faecal Incontinence score <8, 3 months after treatment. Secondary end points were quality of life scores, weekly number of faecal incontinence episodes, subject acceptance and adverse events rate. Both patients and end point assessments were blinded to treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  44 women (64.3 +/- 9 years) with a baseline Cleveland Clinic Florida-Faecal Incontinence score > or =8 were enrolled prospectively; 22 received polydimethylsiloxane elastomer and 22 saline treatment. Treatment was well tolerated. At 3 months, the percentage of subjects experiencing a successful treatment was not different between polydimethylsiloxane elastomer and saline groups (23% vs. 27%, respectively, P = 0.73). Moreover, Cleveland Clinic Florida-Faecal Incontinence score was not significantly different between polydimethylsiloxane elastomer and saline groups (11.7 +/- 4.7 vs. 11.4 +/- 4.5, respectively, P = 0.79).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polydimethylsiloxane elastomer implants cannot be recommended for treatment of severe faecal incontinence related to impaired internal anal sphincter.
authors: Service des Maladies de l'Appareil Digestif, CHU Pontchaillou, Rennes, France. laurent.siproudhis@chu-rennes.fr
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Siproudhis
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Morcet
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Lainé
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001003:Anal Canal; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D020724:Elastomers / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D020724:Elastomers