Changes of denervation in the anal sphincter striated and smooth muscle in patients with neurogenic faecal incontinence are well established. This study aimed to determine if there is also a more proximal visceral autonomic abnormality. Thirty women with purely neurogenic faecal incontinence (prolonged pudendal nerve latencies and an intact sphincter ring) and 12 patients with neuropathic chang...

The female pelvic floor is composed of voluntary muscles, fascia and ligaments. These structures have a supportive component and a functional component. They support the bladder, vagina and uterus and the rectosigmoid and are involved in bladder storage, voiding and continence. They are also involved in providing support for the vaginal wall and the cervix and uterus, and also with sexual funct...

The challenge of surgery for anal fistula is to eradicate the fistula track while maintaining anal continence. Aim of this study was to analyze the influence of seton technique for high anal fistulas, on results of recurrence and postoperative faecal incontinence and need of permanent stomy. A total of 13 patients of complex anal fistula were operated by seton technique over a period of two and...

INCONTINENCE of urine and faeces provides one of the great problems in geriatric medicine. It is a problem to which physicians on the whole have given little thought. Yet urinary incontinence in particular keeps large numbers of elderly people in hospital who could otherwise leave, and involves a disproportionate amount of nursing time. It is important, therefore, that physicians should have so...

Small, early cancers are sometimes diagnosed serendipitously following the removal of anal tags. More advanced lesions present as a mass, non-healing ulcers, pain, rectal bleeding, itching, discharge and faecal incontinence. A relevant history to elicit symptoms and predisposing factors should be documented. Proctoscopy and examination under anaesthesia facilitates biopsy. Diagnosis requires hi...

Aim—The incidence of anorectal symptoms after radiotherapy (RTH) for localised pelvic malignant disease is unclear. In addition, the eVects of pelvic irradiation on both anorectal motility and sensory function are poorly defined. A prospective study was therefore performed on 35 patients (55–82 years of age) with localised prostatic carcinoma before and four to six weeks after RTH to assess its...

AIM The incidence of anorectal symptoms after radiotherapy (RTH) for localised pelvic malignant disease is unclear. In addition, the effects of pelvic irradiation on both anorectal motility and sensory function are poorly defined. A prospective study was therefore performed on 35 patients (55-82 years of age) with localised prostatic carcinoma before and four to six weeks after RTH to assess it...

BACKGROUND 520 CONTENTS Symptoms of incontinence are common, particularly amongst older people, and, at any age, incontinence can have a severe impact on the quality of life of some individuals. A number of treatments for incontinence are available, most of which aim to reduce the occurrence of incontinent episodes or to limit the impact of the disorder on everyday life. In research and clinica...

BACKGROUND Sacral nerve stimulation is a recent development in the treatment of faecal incontinence. This paper reports the experiences of a single center on the use of this technique since its first application. PATIENTS AND METHOD Based on the functional results of a temporary test stimulation phase, 16 patients underwent operative implantation of a permanent neurostimulation device. Due to...