Fecal Incontinence Surgery
Center for Intestinal Continence
St. Anthony's Hospital, Professional Office Building
1201 Fifth Ave. N., Suite 408
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
Call us at (866) 598-0001
 EMAIL US
Overlapping Sphincteroplasty
A surgical repair of the sphincter muscle. This is the most common procedure to correct a defect in the rectal sphincter.
There are two anal muscles that control bowel movements, similar to two round doughnuts, one inside the other. If a defect exists in the complete circle of muscle, you become incontinent.
This procedure is performed on those whit a weakened or damage rectal sphincter. This may be caused by childbirth, trauma, radiation or maturity.
To determine the cause, you may need to undergo testing such as:
- Endosonography (rectal ultrasound) View the anal sphincter muscle and to locate exact position of a tear in the muscle.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy: A thin flexible lighted tube (endoscope) that allows the examine of the lower digestive tract.
- Manometry: Measures the pressure and strength of the anal muscles.
- Nerve studies: Check for nerve damage that communicates with sphincter muscle.
- MRI: Identifies areas of weakness in the sphincter muscle.
Procedure
Under general or spinal anesthesia, the injured area of the sphincter muscle is identified and freed from the surrounding tissue. The muscle edges are then brought back and sewn together in a overlapping fashion to complete the circle of muscle, strengthen and tightening it to prevent leakage of feces.
Post Operative
You may stay in the hospital for a few days to receive IV antibiotics and to reduce the risk of complications. The suture line must be kept clean.
Diet and medication are given to prevent diarrhea/constipation. The passage of hard stool can tear the stitches of the fragile muscles causing infection and ultimately failure of the procedure.
Once home, you may shower, but avoid being submerged in water for two weeks. (I.e. tub, pool)
Nothing should be inserted into the rectum, such as a suppository, enema or thermometer for at least six weeks.
Refrain from sexual intercourse, bike riding, intense physical exercise, heavy lifting and squatting for two to three months.
There are no diet restrictions; however you must drink plenty of water to keep the stool soft. You will be instructed to take a stool softener, mineral oil or fiber supplement.
Artificial Bowel Sphincter (Acticon Neosphincter*)
The artificial sphincter is a small prosthesis placed with the body that functions like a healthy sphincter and is designed to mimic the natural process of bowel sphincter, restoring control of bowel movements> The Neosphincter is comprised of three components: the cuff, a pump, and a small balloon. When you choose to have a bowel movement, you squeeze the pump and the cuff opens as the fluid shifts to the balloon. Afterwards the cuff refills with fluid, thus closing the anal canal.
Procedure
Under general anesthesia, small incisions are made to place the implant. One or two incisions are made in the perianal region to place the cuff around you anal canal. Another incision is made on the abdomen to place the balloon close to your bladder and the pump in your scrotum or labia.
Post Operative
The Neosphincter will not be functional or activated for six to eight weeks after the surgery to give your incision time to heal. During this recovery time, you will continue to use pads for your incontinence.
You may feel some pain in your scrotum or labia immediately after surgery and when the neosphincter is activated. Some slight pain after surgery is normal and can usually be treated with oral pain medications
* www.AmericanMedicalSystems.com
|
