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The etiology, assessment, and treatment of fecal incontinence

Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 2, pages 516–525 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Fecal incontinence is a common symptom that often impairs quality of life. It is generally caused by a variety of conditions that are associated with anorectal sensorimotor dysfunction and/or diarrhea. Assessment should be tailored to age and symptom severity. Modulation of disordered bowel habits is the key to management; biofeedback and surgery might also be beneficial.

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Figure 1: Anatomy of the anorectal region.
Figure 2: Images of anal sphincters in a patient with fecal incontinence.
Figure 3: Axial endoanal fast spin-echo magnetic resonance images of an asymptomatic subject and of a patient with fecal incontinence.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by US Public Health Service, NIH grants RO1 HD 38666 and HD 41129.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Advanced Gastrointestinal Motility Fellow and Instructor of Medicine,

    Christopher N Andrews & Adil E Bharucha

  2. Associate Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA

    Christopher N Andrews & Adil E Bharucha

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  1. Christopher N Andrews
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Correspondence to Adil E Bharucha.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Andrews, C., Bharucha, A. The etiology, assessment, and treatment of fecal incontinence. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2, 516–525 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpgasthep0315

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