Fecal Incontinence (cont.)
What Surgical Procedures Are Used to Treat Bowel Incontinence?
Surgical options include:
- Sphincteroplasty. Rectal sphincter repair is the most common procedure used to correct a defect in the sphincter muscles.
There are two anal muscles that control bowel movements, similar to two round doughnuts, one inside the other. If a defect exists in
the complete circle of muscle, the problem can be corrected with this surgery. During the sphincteroplasty, the two ends of the
muscle are cut and overlapped onto one another, then sewn in place to restore the complete circle of muscle.
- Muscle transposition. During this procedure gluteal (buttock) or gracilis (inner thigh) muscles are used to encircle and
strengthen the anal canal. When the inner thigh muscle is used, pacemaker-like electrodes are implanted into the grafted muscle to
train it to remain contracted. When the buttock muscle is used, the lower portion of this muscle is freed from the tailbone region
and wrapped around the anus to construct a new anus. The buttock muscle transposition does not require the use of a
pacemaker. This procedure is an option for the small percentage of patients
whose condition cannot be successfully treated with sphincteroplasty.
- Colostomy. In rare and very difficult cases, the only alternative may be a colostomy, a surgically created opening in
the abdominal wall through which the colon passes, and where a bag is fitted to collect stool.
A number of new surgical procedures are being investigated including a clinical study looking at an artificial bowel sphincter,
a circular plastic device implanted around the anus. The device can be inflated like a balloon to prevent the passage of stool.
When a person has to move the bowels, the plastic ring can be deflated for stool to pass through.
Next: Can bowel incontinence be prevented? »
- Fecal Occult Blood Test - Read about the fecal occult blood test in which there are two types, chemical and immunologic. Fecal occult blood tests are used to screen for colon cancer and colon polyps.
- Pinched Nerve - Read about the causes of a pinched nerve such as a herniated disc, arthritis, spinal stenosis, carpal tunnel syndrome and more. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment information is included.
- Flexible Sigmoidoscopy - Read about flexible sigmoidoscopy procedure used to examine the lower portion of the colon and rectum. It may be used to investigate the cause of rectal bleeding, bowel changes, rectal pain, and diarrhea.
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