Long-term results of anterior levatorplasty for fecal incontinence - A retrospective study

PURPOSE: To review the long-term results of anterior levatorplasty for fecal incontinence. METHODS: Fifty-four women with obstetric trauma and 31 with idiopathic incontinence responded to a questionnaire 1.5 to 18.5 (median, 8.5) years after anterior levatorplasty. Results were classified as excellent, good, fair, or poor. RESULTS: An excellent or good result was reported in 40 of 54 (74 percent) patients with an obstetric injury and in 14 of 31 (45 percent) patients in the idiopathic group (P < 0.01). The presence of a cloaca (P < 0.05) and a young age (P < 0.05) were associated with a favorable outcome in the obstetric and idiopathic group, respectively. Length of follow-up and pre-operative severity of incontinence were not significantly related to outcome. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that every second patient undergoing anterior levatorplasty for fecal incontinence has a successful result that is sustained in the long term. Obstetric trauma, presence of a cloaca, and young age are associated with a successful outcome.