A Vaginal Bowel-Control System for the Treatment of Fecal Incontinence

摘要

Fecal incontinence is a common problem in community-dwelling women. Prevalence rates range from 12% to 25%. The average age at onset is between 47 and 55 years. This condition is debilitating and emotionally devastating. Most women with fecal incontinence are socially isolated and do not seek care. Although the cause of fecal incontinence is multifactorial, there is often a history of damage to the pelvic region caused by pregnancy and childbirth, Contributory causes include congenital, neurologic, functional, and traumatic alterations of the continence mechanism. Current nonsurgical treatment options for fecal incontinence include antidiarrheal agents, fiber supplements, biofeedback therapy, passive anal barriers, and injectable agents. All have shortcomings in efficacy, morbidity, cost, and/or patient compliance. Surgical options such as anal sphincteroplasty, dynamic graciloplasty, and the artificial anal sphincter have higher morbidity than noninvasive treatments, and long-term results are disappointing.