Transanal irrigation is effective in functional fecal incontinence.

Functional fecal incontinence (FFI) is divided into cases related to functional constipation (FC) and cases without concomitant constipation termed functional non-retentive fecal incontinence (FNRFI). Transanal irrigation (TAI) is widely used in children with neurogenic fecal incontinence but is less studied in children with functional defecation disorders. The aim was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of TAI in the treatment of FFI. A retrospective study in 72 children (mean age 9.2 ± 2.2 years, 47 males) with treatment-resistant FFI was performed. All children accepted treatment and 35% (n = 25) were titrated to daily sessions. Of the 63 children who fulfilled the Rome III criteria of constipation, 46 (73%) showed full response with complete remission of incontinence episodes. Eleven (17%) showed partial response (≥50% reduction). Of nine children with FNRFI, four (44%) showed full response whereas two (22%) showed partial response. We found no significant difference in the reduction of incontinence episodes between the children with FC (87%) and children with FNRFI (68%) (p = 0.11). CONCLUSION: TAI is an effective, well-tolerated, and safe choice in children with FC. No clinical parameters seemed to predict response to treatment. The number of children with FNRFI was low, but TAI seemed effective in this group of children. What is Known: • Functional fecal incontinence (FFI) is a frequent, chronic condition with significant impact on children's quality of life. • Transanal irrigation (TAI) is used in children with neurogenic bowel dysfunction but less studied in children with functional defecation disorders. What is New: • TAI seems an effective, well-tolerated, and safe choice in children with FFI due to functional constipation. • Albeit the number of children with functional non-retentive fecal incontinence was low in our study, TAI seems effective also in this group of children.

Management of functional constipation in children with lower urinary tract symptoms: report from the Standardization Committee of the International Children's Continence Society.

PURPOSE: We present a consensus view of members of the International Children's Continence Society (ICCS) together with pediatric gastroenterologists, experts in the field of functional gastrointestinal disorders, on the management of functional constipation in children with lower urinary tract symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Discussions were held by the board of the ICCS and a multidisciplinary core group of authors was appointed. The draft document review process was open to all ICCS members via the website. Feedback was considered by the core authors and, by agreement, amendments were made as necessary. RESULTS: Guidelines on the assessment, and pharmacological and nonpharmacological management of functional constipation in children with lower urinary tract symptoms are outlined. CONCLUSIONS: The final document is not a systematic literature review. It includes relevant research when available, as well as expert opinion on the current understanding of functional constipation in children with lower urinary tract symptoms. The document is intended to be clinically useful in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings.