Operative therapy for anal incontinence.

Operative therapy for fecal incontinence requires exact understanding of the anatomic and physiologic principles involved and of the potential pathophysiologic mechanisms. Many injuries of the external sphincter can be treated by direct sphincter repair. Extensive obstetric injuries with loss of the perineal body require not only reconstitution of the perineal musculature but also plastic surgical reconstruction of the perineal skin. Patients with descending perineum syndrome and resultant idiopathic fecal incontinence or rectal prolapse with associated incontinence should be treated with postanal plication of the puborectalis sling. Patients who have complex neurologic disorders or who have undergone previous unsuccessful attempts at repair of the puborectalis itself should be considered for placement of a Silastic sling. Diverting colostomy is rarely necessary; it should be performed only after thorough investigation and failure of all reasonable alternative operative procedures.