IS ANAL CONTINENCE REDUCED WITH AN ADDITI ONAL PROCTOLOGICAL OPERATION

A prospective clinical manometric and radiological study has been perf ormed, before and after anterior levatorplasty and sphincter plication on 18 patients (mean age 61,6 years) with neurogenic faecal incontine nce. Continence was improved on 15 (83%) patients, 13 (72%) patients w ere continent to solid and liquid stool, 3 (17%) of whom regained norm al continence only, at a minimum of 6 months follow-up (empty set 21.5 months). Postoperatively there was a significant increase in the rest ing anal pressure (p = 0.05) an maximum voluntary contraction pressure (p = 0.001). No significant change in sphincter length, duration of t he action potentials, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML), p elvic descent or anorectal angle was seen postoperatively. The inconti nence and defaecation-score showed postoperatively a significant diffe rence concerning soiling, time from urgency to defaecation, and discri mination between flatus and stool.