Fecal Incontinence. Diagnosis and Treatment

About this book

Fecal incontinence is a frequent, distressing condition that has a devastating impact on patients’ lives. However, patients are typically embarrassed and reluctant to acknowledge this disability, so they relinquish the possibility of being cured and remain socially isolated. Since fecal incontinence may result from various pathophysiological situations, an accurate diagnostic work-up of each patient is fundamental. Today, a wide range of therapeutic options is available, but making the correct choice is pivotal to the successful management of this condition. This book is aimed at all physicians involved in the assessment and treatment of fecal incontinence. Its main purpose is to review the latest advances in the epidemiologic, socio-economic, psychologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of fecal incontinence, in order to establish guidelines for effective treatment.

Written for:

Physicians, coloproctologists, gastoenterologists, gynecologists, clinical surgeons

Keywords:

• Fecal incontinence
• Neurogenic incontinence
• Quality of life
• Sphincter lesions
• Urinary incontinence

Table of contents

Forewords.- Preface.- Section I Structure and function in continence and incontinence: Anatomy and Physiology of Continence.- Epidemiology of Fecal Incontinence.- Pathophysiology of Fecal Incontinence.- Risk Factors in Fecal Incontinence.- Psychological Aspects of Fecal Incontinence.- Impact of Fecal Incontinence on Quality of Life.- Social Aspects and Economics of Fecal Incontinence.- Section II Diagnosis of Fecal Incontinence: Clinical Assessment of Incontinent Patient.- Diagnosis of Fecal Incontinence.- Imaging of fecal Incontinence with Endoanal Ultrasound.- Imaging of Fecal Incontinence.- Diagnostic Work-up in Incontinent Patients: An Integrate Approach.- Section III Treatment of Fecal Incontinence: Patients Selection and Treatment Evaluation.- Medical Treatment.- Rehabilitation and Biofeedback.- Sphincteroplasty.- Post-Anal Repair.- Dynamic Graciloplasty.- Artificial Bowel Sphincter in the Treatment of Severe Fecal Incontinence in Adults.- Gluteoplasty for the Treatment of Fecal Incontinence.- Sacral Nerve Stimulation.- Injectable Bulking Agents.- Radiofrequency.- Physiologic Parameters Predicting Outcome of Non-Surgical Treatments.- Section IV Selected Clinical Conditions: Rectal Resection.- Iatrogenic Anal Sphincter Lesions.- Rectal Prolapse.- Sphincter Atrophy.- Obstetric Lesions: The Coloproctologist’s Point of View.- Obstetric Lesions: The Gynaecologist’s Point of View.- Neurogenic Fecal Incontinence.- Diabetes .- Fecal Incontinence in Elderly and Institutionalized Patients.- Pelvic Radiotherapy.- Double Incontinence.- Pediatric Fecal Incontinence.- Section V Future Perspectives: Future Perspectives in Management and Research of Fecal Incontinence.- Subject Index