Technic of overlapping sphincter anal repair in the treatment of traumatic anal incontinence

Faecal incontinence is an important disabling symptom in the affected patients. Classically, we divide faecal incontinence in two main types: neurogenic faecal incontinence and traumatic anal incontinence. Traumatic anal incontinence is due to causes damaging sphincteric mechanism directly. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of overlapping sphincter anal repair procedure in the management of traumatic anal incontinence. To this end we studied 27 patients with traumatic anal incontinence who underwent an overlapping sphincter anal repair procedure according to the method described by Parks and McPartlin in 1971. Mean follow up was up three years and was based mainly both on clinical evaluation with anorectal exploration and manometric values carried out on a 6 monthly basis. When the outcome was evaluated in terms of faecal continence our date were similar to those reported by Parks and Fang. In the subjects studied we haven't reported any major complications apart from one case of abscess, one case of wound's infection and one case of stenosis which were efficaciously treated. Our findings supported the view that overlapping sphincter anal repair procedure is the surgical approach of choice in the patients with traumatic anal incontinence.