We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Secondary sphincter repair for anal incontinence following obstetric sphincter injury: functional outcome and quality of life at 18 years of follow‐up.
- Authors
Barbosa, M.; Glavind‐Kristensen, M.; Moller Soerensen, M.; Christensen, P.
- Abstract
Aim: Secondary sphincter repair has been the conventional management of anal incontinence (AI) when a structural defect in the sphincter is recognized. However, disappointing long‐term results have contributed to a tendency towards an increasing use of alternative treatment methods. This study aimed to assess the long‐term functional outcomes following a secondary sphincter repair in women with AI after obstetric sphincter injury. Method: This is a questionnaire study of women who underwent a secondary sphincter repair in Denmark between January 1990 and December 2005. Patients were identified through the Danish National Patient Registry. Functional outcomes were assessed by a self‐administered questionnaire in 2010 and 2018. Primary outcomes were Wexner and St. Mark's scores. Impact on quality of life was assessed using the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale. Results: Functional outcome was assessed in 370 women in 2010 and 255 women in 2018. At 18.3 [interquartile range (IQR 15.0–22.0)] years of follow‐up, the mean ± SD Wexner score was 8.8 ± 4.8 and the mean St. Mark's score was 11.7 ± 5.0. Flatus incontinence was the most frequent symptom, reported by 97%. Incontinence for liquid and solid stools was reported by 75% and 54%, respectively. There were no significant changes in incontinence frequencies over time. Women with a Wexner score of ≥ 9 had a significantly lower quality of life score in all domains than did women with a Wexner score of < 9 (P < 0.001). Conclusion: At long‐term follow‐up, few patients are fully continent following a secondary sphincter repair. However, it appears that the functional results remain stable at very long‐term follow‐up.
- Subjects
DENMARK; SPHINCTERS; ANUS; QUALITY of life; FECAL incontinence; MEDICAL registries
- Publication
Colorectal Disease, 2020, Vol 22, Issue 1, p71
- ISSN
1462-8910
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/codi.14792