[Transanal irrigations in patients with constipation and fecal incontinence: results, indications and follow up in our center].

AIM OF THE STUDY: To present our results with transanal irrigation (TAI) for management of fecal incontinence and fecal constipation without response to other treatments.

METHODS

Retrospective study of patients with fecal constipation and/or fecal incontinence treated with TAI between 2013 and 2017. A Rintala questionnaire(1) was carried out comparing pre and post-treatment results. This study was approved by the ethical committee.

MAIN

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients were included with a median age of 13 years old (range 6-44 years). Nineteen patients had spinal pathology (76%), four colorectal surgery (16%) and two functional constipation (8%). They presented fecal incontinence in 20% of cases, 12% of fecal constipation and 68% both conditions. After a mean follow-up of 1.5 years (1 month-4 years), 52% of the patients abandoned the treatment. The mean Rintala score was 6.8±4 before treatment, and after, resulted to 11.42±2.75 (p=0.001). The main complications throughout the treatment were pain (68%) and balloon leaks (28%). The patients declared as cause of treatment cessation: reduced mobility (15%), fear or misinformation (32%) and pain (76%). All patients with reduced mobility (n=3) left treatment, versus 45% (n=12) of the patients that had full mobility (p=0.17, OR 8.3 [IC95% 0.3-38]). Complementary treatments such as laxatives, enemas or digital extraction were abandoned in 55% of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Using TAI seems to improve quality of life in patients with fecal constipation and fecal incontinence refractory compared to other treatments. Our abandonment rate was higher than expected, so we believe it is necessary to create a support group to improve follow-ups.