Bowel Incontinence

Bowel (fecal) Incontinence is the impaired ability to control gas or stool. Its severity ranges from mild difficulty with gas control to severe loss of control over liquid and formed stools.

Causes

  • Pelvic floor muscle damage. The muscles that control continence are damaged.

  • Nerve Injury: Injury to the nerves that supply the pelvic floor can cause fecal incontinence.

  • Functional: Diarrhea (not being able to make it to the bathroom on time), constipation (rectum gets over filled and leaks), rectal spasms and urgency.

Testing often times includes ultrasound and AnoRectal Manometry (ARM).  ARM  provides information about the pressure and function of the rectum and anal sphincter.  The muscles tested during AnoRectal Manometry (ARM) control bowel movements by relaxing and contracting.  In addition, ARM detects impaired sensation of rectal filling, which can be a cause of chronic constipation.

Treatment for Bowel (fecal) incontinence can include lifestyle changes, biofeedback therapy, or interstim, or anal sphincteroplasty.

Anatomy The separated sphincter muscles are found and put back together with stitches.