title: Seven-year follow-up after anterior sphincter reconstruction for faecal incontinence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to evaluate the effects of anterior sphincter repair on faecal incontinence and quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-six patients who underwent anterior anal sphincteroplasty between January 2003 and December 2005 were asked to complete questionnaires containing the Wexner Incontinence Score (a score of 0 corresponds to full continence and 20 to total incontinence) and Faecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale preoperatively, in May 2006 (mean follow-up time, 22.8 months) and in August 2011 (mean follow-up time, 89.3 months). Thirty-nine (69.6 %) patients completed the questionnaires before the operation and in 2006, and 36 (64.3 %) in 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall severity of faecal incontinence improved in 26 patients (67 %), and quality of life improved in 2006 as a whole, but after a longer follow-up (in 2011), the severity of faecal incontinence was about the same as preoperatively (median, 12.0 months) in all the patients. Among younger patients (≤50 years), the situation was better, but older patients (>50 years) had an even worse situation than before the operation. In the group of younger patients, the preoperative median of the overall incontinence score was 10.5, and in 2011, it was 9.0, while in the group of older patients, the corresponding numbers were 13.0 and 15.0. In 2011, quality of life was still better than preoperatively as a whole, but the results had deteriorated from those in 2006.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Initially, both overall faecal incontinence and quality of life improved, but younger patients achieved a greater benefit. However, the results deteriorated with a longer follow-up. Operative management should be considered preferably in relatively young subjects as their results are better.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, PL 2000, 33521 Tampere, Finland. kirsi.M.lehto@uta.fi
authors: Kirsi
authors: K
authors: Lehto
authors: Marja
authors: M
authors: Hyöty
authors: Pekka
authors: P
authors: Collin
authors: Heini
authors: H
authors: Huhtala
authors: Petri
authors: P
authors: Aitola
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires