title: Current Trends in Management of Defecatory Dysfunction, Posterior Compartment Prolapse, and Fecal Incontinence.
abstract: While it would be our hope to report that there have been significant gains in the understanding of the correlation between the posterior vaginal compartment and defecatory dysfunction in the last year, this is not the case. Instead, we review the highlights of management of posterior vaginal compartment and defecatory dysfunction including 1) defining and understanding the patient's symptoms; 2) considering systemic disorders, motility dysfunction, and mechanical causes that may be contributing; 3) encouraging conservative management as first-line therapy; and 4) recognizing which surgical options are likely to improve specific symptoms. This is then followed by an update on treatment options for fecal incontinence, which we now prefer to refer to as accidental bowel leakage. We are able to report on five exciting and innovative treatment approaches for accidental bowel leakage. As the scientific community increases focus on patient-centered outcomes, we are likely on the verge of having a greater understanding of how treatment options for posterior compartment prolapse and defecatory dysfunction can improve patient symptoms. This year, we can report that strong evidence based recommendations simply do not exist, and this area is ripe for future investigation.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine & Public Health, Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Urology, Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery Section, 600 Highland Avenue, Box 6188 (H4/656), Madison, WI 53792, , Fax:
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Columbia University Medical Cnter, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Section of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, 622 West 168 Street, PH 16, Room 127, New York, NY 10032, Phone:212-305-0189.
authors.forename: Cara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grimes
keywords: accidental bowel leakage; defecatory dysfunction; fecal incontinence; posterior compartment prolapse; rectocele