[Postanal repair in the treatment of idiopathic neurogenic fecal incontinence]. / Il postanal repair nel trattamento dell'incontinenza fecale neurogenica idiopatica.

Faecal incontinence is an important disabling symptom in the affected patients. Classically, we divide faecal incontinence in two main types: traumatic faecal incontinence and neurogenic faecal incontinence. Neurogenic faecal incontinence is characterized by a diffuse weakness of anal sphincter and of the elevator muscles. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of postanal repair procedure in the management of neurogenic faecal incontinence. To this end we studied 20 patients with neurogenic faecal incontinence who underwent a postanal repair procedure according to the method described by Parks. Mean follow up was up two years and was based mainly both on clinical evaluation and manometric values carried out on a 6 monthly basis. When the outcome was evaluated in terms of faecal incontinence our date were similar to those reported by Parks and Keighley. In the subjects studied we haven't reported any major complications apart from two cases of wound's infection which were efficaciously treated. Our findings supported the view that postanal repair procedure is the surgical approach of choice in the patients with idiopathic neurogenic faecal incontinence.