Outcomes of graciloplasty in the treatment of fecal incontinence: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Patients with refractory fecal incontinence symptoms can be treated with several surgical procedures including graciloplasty. Reported outcomes and morbidity rates of this procedure are highly variable. The aim of this study was to assess continence rate and safety of dynamic and adynamic graciloplasty. METHODS: PubMed and Google Scholar databases were systematically searched from inception until January 2022 according to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Reviews, animal studies, studies with patients < 18 years or < 10 patients, with no success rate reported or non-English text, were excluded. Main outcome measures were overall continence and morbidity rates of each technique. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were identified, incorporating a total of 450 patients (337 females), published between 1980 and 2021. Most common etiology of incontinence (35.5%-n = 160) was obstetric trauma followed by anorectal trauma (20%-n = 90). The weighted mean rate of continence after dynamic graciloplasty was 69.1% (95% CI 0.53-0.84%, I2 = 90%) compared to 71% (95% CI 0.54-0.87, I2 = 82.5%) after adynamic. Although the weighted mean short-term complication rate was lower in the dynamic group (26% versus 40%), when focusing on complications requiring intervention under general anesthesia, there was a much higher incidence (43.4% versus 10.5%) in the dynamic group. The weighted mean rate of long-term complications was 59.4% (95% CI 0.13-1.04%, I2 = 97.7%) in the dynamic group, almost twice higher than in the adynamic group [30% (95% CI - 0.03 to 0.63), I2 = 95.8%]. Median follow-up ranged from 1 to 13 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that graciloplasty may be considered for incontinent patients. Dynamic graciloplasty may harbor higher risk for reoperation and complications compared to adynamic. The fact that the functional results between adynamic and dynamic graciloplasty are equivalent and the morbidity rate of adynamic graciloplasty is significantly lower reinforce the graciloplasty as an option to treat appropriately selected patients with fecal incontinence.

Minimum standards for continence care in the UK.

AIM: This paper reports on the publication of a joint statement on minimum standards for continence care in the UK. METHODS: A multidisciplinary working party were tasked with creating standards for both training and education in continence care, as well as explicit standards for a framework of service delivery. This was done through a process of extensive consultation with relevant professional bodies. RESULTS: The standards suggest a modular structure to continence training, including basic, male, female, catheter care etc. Discussions on service provision cover primary care through to expert tertiary centres. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first attempt to standardise continence care and training for all health care professionals nationally. The document is available on the United Kingdom Continence Society website www.ukcs.uk.net.

Improving continence care around the world.

Global demographic trends suggest the incidence of both urinary and faecal incontinence will rise in the coming years, with significant health and economic costs for patients and healthcare services. Healthcare providers across the globe lack guidance on how to deliver the most efficient, patient-focused care. The key finding of a report drawn up to address this was that specialist nurses have an important role in initial assessment and treatment, supplanting doctor-led provision models. This can be achieved through accredited training.

Evaluation and treatment of constipation in children and adolescents.

Childhood constipation is common and almost always functional without an organic etiology. Stool retention can lead to fecal incontinence in some patients. Often, a medical history and physical examination are sufficient to diagnose functional constipation. Further evaluation for Hirschsprung disease, a spinal cord abnormality, or a metabolic disorder may be warranted in a child with red flags, such as onset before one month of age, delayed passage of meconium after birth, failure to thrive, explosive stools, and severe abdominal distension. Successful therapy requires prevention and treatment of fecal impaction, with oral laxatives or rectal therapies. Polyethylene glycol-based solutions have become the mainstay of therapy, although other options, such as other osmotic or stimulant laxatives, are available. An increase in dietary fiber may improve the likelihood that laxatives can be discontinued in the future. Education is equally important as medical therapy and should include counseling families to recognize withholding behaviors; to use behavior interventions, such as regular toileting and reward systems; and to expect a chronic course with prolonged therapy, frequent relapses, and a need for close follow-up. Referral to a subspecialist is recommended only when there is concern for organic disease or when the constipation persists despite adequate therapy.

First diagnosis and management of incontinence in older people with and without dementia in primary care: a cohort study using The Health Improvement Network primary care database.

BACKGROUND: Dementia is one of the most disabling and burdensome diseases. Incontinence in people with dementia is distressing, adds to carer burden, and influences decisions to relocate people to care homes. Successful and safe management of incontinence in people with dementia presents additional challenges. The aim of this study was to investigate the rates of first diagnosis in primary care of urinary and faecal incontinence among people aged 60-89 with dementia, and the use of medication or indwelling catheters for urinary incontinence. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We extracted data on 54,816 people aged 60-89 with dementia and an age-gender stratified sample of 205,795 people without dementia from 2001 to 2010 from The Health Improvement Network (THIN), a United Kingdom primary care database. THIN includes data on patients and primary care consultations but does not identify care home residents. Rate ratios were adjusted for age, sex, and co-morbidity using multilevel Poisson regression. The rates of first diagnosis per 1,000 person-years at risk (95% confidence interval) for urinary incontinence in the dementia cohort, among men and women, respectively, were 42.3 (40.9-43.8) and 33.5 (32.6-34.5). In the non-dementia cohort, the rates were 19.8 (19.4-20.3) and 18.6 (18.2-18.9). The rates of first diagnosis for faecal incontinence in the dementia cohort were 11.1 (10.4-11.9) and 10.1 (9.6-10.6). In the non-dementia cohort, the rates were 3.1 (2.9-3.3) and 3.6 (3.5-3.8). The adjusted rate ratio for first diagnosis of urinary incontinence was 3.2 (2.7-3.7) in men and 2.7 (2.3-3.2) in women, and for faecal incontinence was 6.0 (5.1-7.0) in men and 4.5 (3.8-5.2) in women. The adjusted rate ratio for pharmacological treatment of urinary incontinence was 2.2 (1.4-3.7) for both genders, and for indwelling urinary catheters was 1.6 (1.3-1.9) in men and 2.3 (1.9-2.8) in women. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with those without a dementia diagnosis, those with a dementia diagnosis have approximately three times the rate of diagnosis of urinary incontinence, and more than four times the rate of faecal incontinence, in UK primary care. The clinical management of urinary incontinence in people with dementia with medication and particularly the increased use of catheters is concerning and requires further investigation. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.

[Progress in pathophysiology research and update on diagnosis and treatment strategies for fecal incontinence].

The traditional barrier theory believes that fecal incontinence is related to an imbalance of the recto-anal barrier and the characteristics of stool. However, in clinical practice this theory proves unable to explain all types of fecal incontinence. In recent years, research on the mechanisms related to fecal incontinence has shifted to a new integrative concept with the rectum and anus as functional units, and the central-peripheral nervous system and internal and external anal sphincters as a control loop. The diagnosis and treatment strategy of fecal incontinence, which is replaced by sacral neuromodulation, is undergoing a quiet change. With the progressively aging population in China, the need to improve the diagnosis and treatment of fecal incontinence has become increasingly urgent. This article explores the trends in diagnosis and treatment and mechanism research from the perspective of recent advances in pathophysiological research and updated diagnosis and treatment methods for fecal incontinence.

Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of Faecal Incontinence-A UEG/ESCP/ESNM/ESPCG collaboration.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this project was to create an up-to-date joint European clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of faecal incontinence (FI), using the best available evidence. These guidelines are intended to help guide all medical professionals treating adult patients with FI (e.g., general practitioners, surgeons, gastroenterologists, other healthcare workers) and any patients who are interested in information regarding the diagnosis and management of FI. METHODS: These guidelines have been created in cooperation with members from the United European Gastroenterology (UEG), European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP), European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESNM) and the European Society for Primary Care Gastroenterology (ESPCG). These members made up the guideline development group (GDG). Additionally, a patient advisory board (PAB) was created to reflect and comment on the draft guidelines from a patient perspective. Relevant review questions were established by the GDG along with a set of outcomes most important for decision making. A systematic literature search was performed using these review questions and outcomes as a framework. For each predefined review question, the study or studies with the highest level of study design were included. If evidence of a higher-level study design was available, no lower level of evidence was sought or included. Data from the studies were extracted by two reviewers for each predefined important outcome within each review question. Where possible, forest plots were created. After summarising the results for each review question, a systematic quality assessment using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) approach was performed. For each review question, we assessed the quality of evidence for every predetermined important outcome. After evidence review and quality assessment were completed, recommendations could be formulated. The wording used for each recommendation was dependent on the level of quality of evidence. Lower levels of evidence resulted in weaker recommendations and higher levels of evidence resulted in stronger recommendations. Recommendations were discussed within the GDG to reach consensus. RESULTS: These guidelines contain 45 recommendations on the classification, diagnosis and management of FI in adult patients. CONCLUSION: These multidisciplinary European guidelines provide an up-to-date comprehensive evidence-based framework with recommendations on the diagnosis and management of adult patients who suffer from FI.

Hirschsprung disease outcomes.

Hirschsprung disease (HD) is a complex surgical and medical problem that appears to have varied health and social outcomes with the age and neurodevelopmental state of patients. In general, long-term outcomes are thought to be good for the majority of patients despite recognized problems with constipation and/or fecal incontinence. However, there are no universally accepted pathways regarding post-operative bowel management programs nor clearly defined follow-up pathways making the current outcome measures difficult to interpret. Further, other factors that may influence outcome including age at the time of procedure and procedure type continue to lack consensus. Improved support of children in resource limited environments and during periods of transition into the adult medical care environment are needed to improve outcome.  Recent proliferation of multidisciplinary care teams and consortia may help to better understand outcomes and address current knowledge gaps. Continuing these collaborations will be imperative to continuing improvements in care which may ultimately impact outcome.

Fecal Incontinence in the Elderly.

Fecal incontinence can be a challenging and stigmatizing disease with a high prevalence in the elderly population. Despite effective treatment options, most patients do not receive care. Clues in the history and physical examination can assist the provider in establishing the diagnosis. Direct inquiry about the presence of incontinence is key. Bowel disturbances are common triggers for symptoms and represent some of the easiest treatment targets. We review the epidemiology and impact of the disease, delineate a diagnostic and treatment approach for primary care physicians to identify patients with suspected fecal incontinence and describe appropriate treatment options.

Optimal management of the newborn with an anorectal malformation and evaluation of their continence potential.

Anorectal malformations affect 1 in 3000-5000 children, with varied incidences dependent upon geographical location. Accurate assessment, and subsequent targeted management in the newborn is critical to reducing potential morbidity and mortality. We have focused in this review upon the management of newborns with anorectal malformations, and the evaluation of the potential for long-term fecal continence.

Practical strategies for treating postsurgical bowel dysfunction.

Postsurgical bowel dysfunction is a potential complication for patients undergoing ileoanal anastomosis, restorative proctocolectomy, and low anterior anastomosis. In our setting, these patients are referred to the Anorectal Physiology Clinic at the Townsville Hospital, Queensland, for comprehensive behavioral therapy. The goals of the therapy are as follows: improve stool consistency, improve control over stool elimination, decrease fecal frequency and rectal urgency, fecal continence without excessive restrictions on food and fluid intake, and increase quality of life. This article outlines our holistic approach and specific treatment strategies, including assessment, education, support and assistance with coping, individualized dietary and fluid modifications, medications, and exercise. Biofeedback is used to help patients improve anal sphincter and pelvic floor muscle function and bowel elimination habits. Information on the biofeedback component of the treatment program will be described in a subsequent article.

[Faecal incontinence: physiotherapy first before referral for further diagnostics and therapy]. / Fecale incontinentie: eerst fysiotherapie, dan verwijzing voor verdere diagnostiek en behandeling.

The predictive value of diagnostic tests for faecal incontinence with respect to the outcome of physiotherapy was investigated in a recent study. No obvious predictors were found. This is not surprising. Diagnostic tests are known to exhibit a large overlap with healthy controls. Further, the study was carried out in 15 hospitals, each of which had its own method for performing these tests. Physiotherapy according to a treatment protocol was given by 48 physiotherapists. The Vaizey score was used as the outcome measure and revealed an improvement of 50% or more in 13% of patients. However, some clinical changes important for the patient are missed by this score. The rate of effectiveness for physiotherapy reported in literature is around 70%. This study not only shows that diagnostic tests have little predictive value regarding the outcome of physiotherapy, but, more importantly, that all patients with faecal incontinence should have physiotherapy first. Patients who do not improve should be referred to a specialist for further diagnostics and therapy.

Guidelines for managing faecal incontinence.

Mary Wilson reviews the NICE guidelines on the management of faecal incontinence.

Investigation and treatment of faecal incontinence.

Faecal incontinence is a debilitating condition affecting people of all ages, and significantly impairs quality of life. Proper clinical assessment followed by conservative medical therapy leads to improvement in more than 50% of cases, including patients with severe symptoms. Patients with advanced incontinence or those resistant to initial treatment should be evaluated by anorectal physiology testing to establish the severity and type of incontinence. Several treatment options with promising results exist. Patients with gross sphincter defects should undergo surgical repair. Those who fail to respond to sphincteroplasty and those with no anatomical defects have the option of either sacral nerve stimulation or other advanced procedures. Stoma formation should be reserved for patients who do not respond to any of the above procedures.

Review of the diagnosis, management and treatment of fecal incontinence.

Fecal incontinence is a common problem affecting women but is underreported because of patients' reluctance to discuss their symptoms and an inconsistent use of screening tools by physicians. Obstetric injury from vaginal delivery is the principal cause of fecal incontinence among young women. Prevalence rates are highest in the elderly, especially those with declining cognitive function. There are multiple diagnostic tests including anal manometry, endosonography, defecography, and pudendal nerve latency testing to assist physicians in the workup of patients and aid in the selection of appropriate treatment options. After patient identification and workup, most patients can be offered conservative measures including dietary measures and biofeedback. Surgery is indicated for specific abnormalities such as rectal prolapse, fistula, and recent obstetrical sphincter injury repair. Management of refractory cases may include sacral nerve stimulation and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation. Fecal diversion or an artificial bowel sphincter may be considered when all else has failed. Primary care physicians, gynecologists, and specialists in female pelvic medicine should screen women for fecal incontinence. Initial conservative therapy may be directed by the primary health provider, and those resistant to this approach should be referred to specialist care.