Clinical and manometric assessment of gracilis muscle transplant for fecal incontinence.

Six cases of gracilis muscle transplant for fecal incontinence are reported. The causes of fecal incontinence included previous anal operation, idiopathic incontinence, and rectal prolapse. All patients had had a previous operation for fecal incontinence. Postoperative sepsis developed at the operative site in five patients despite a defunctioning colostomy in two. Functional results of the operation were poor in all patients and a colostomy has now been raised in all cases. The operation was not associated with any objective improvement in resting or voluntary component pressure.