Fecal Incontinence: Diagnosis and Treatment

Fecal incontinence is a frequent, distressing condition that has a devastating impact on patients’ lives. However,
patients are typically embarrassed and reluctant to acknowledge this disability, so they relinquish the possibility of
being cured and remain socially isolated. Since fecal incontinence may result from various pathophysiological
situations, an accurate diagnostic work-up of each patient is fundamental. Today, a wide range of therapeutic options
is available, but making the correct choice is pivotal to the successful management of this condition. This book is
aimed at all physicians involved in the assessment and treatment of fecal incontinence. Its main purpose is to review
the latest advances in the epidemiologic, socio-economic, psychologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of fecal
incontinence, in order to establish guidelines for effective treatment.


Table of contents Forewords.- Preface.- Section I Structure and function in continence and incontinence: Anatomy and
Physiology of Continence.- Epidemiology of Fecal Incontinence.- Pathophysiology of Fecal Incontinence.- Risk Factors in
Fecal Incontinence.- Psychological Aspects of Fecal Incontinence.- Impact of Fecal Incontinence on Quality of Life.-
Social Aspects and Economics of Fecal Incontinence.- Section II Diagnosis of Fecal Incontinence: Clinical Assessment
of Incontinent Patient.- Diagnosis of Fecal Incontinence.- Imaging of fecal Incontinence with Endoanal Ultrasound.-
Imaging of Fecal Incontinence.- Diagnostic Work-up in Incontinent Patients: An Integrate Approach.- Section III
Treatment of Fecal Incontinence: Patients Selection and Treatment Evaluation.- Medical Treatment.- Rehabilitation and
Biofeedback.- Sphincteroplasty.- Post-Anal Repair.- Dynamic Graciloplasty.- Artificial Bowel Sphincter in the Treatment
of Severe Fecal Incontinence in Adults.- Gluteoplasty for the Treatment of Fecal Incontinence.- Sacral Nerve
Stimulation.- Injectable Bulking Agents.- Radiofrequency.- Physiologic Parameters Predicting Outcome of Non-Surgical
Treatments.- Section IV Selected Clinical Conditions: Rectal Resection.- Iatrogenic Anal Sphincter Lesions.- Rectal
Prolapse.- Sphincter Atrophy.- Obstetric Lesions: The Coloproctologist’s Point of View.- Obstetric Lesions: The
Gynaecologist’s Point of View.- Neurogenic Fecal Incontinence.- Diabetes .- Fecal Incontinence in Elderly and
Institutionalized Patients.- Pelvic Radiotherapy.- Double Incontinence.- Pediatric Fecal Incontinence.- Section V
Future Perspectives: Future Perspectives in Management and Research of Fecal Incontinence.- Subject Index