If conservative treatment is unsuccessful, an operation is indicated.
Patients with fecal incontinence should – if possible – always be treated curatively. Therapy of the underlying diseases includes conservative as well as surgical procedures.
At the beginning of therapy the patient is usually treated conservatively. During physical therapy the patient consciously experiences body functions which have taken place autonomously up to now and learns to control defecation correctively. The pelvic floor musculature with the sphincter musculature inside it is selectively built up. These pelvic floor exercises can be supplemented by biofeedback therapy and electrostimulation of the sphincter.
Fecal incontinence can be additionally treated medicinally with active agents such as loperamide. They decrease bowel passage time, increase solidity of the feces and in this manner lower defecation frequency.
An operation is usually indicated when conservative therapy failed. If the external musculature is damaged, it can be surgically reconstructed using different procedures (e.g. suture, post anal repair). If the external musculature is totally destroyed, the sphincter must be surgically replaced by for example:
Absorbent pads and briefs should be provided and corresponding care measures should be conducted for patients affected who cannot be treated by causal therapy. Creams and ointments alleviate irritation of skin triggered by aggressive feces. Anal tampons enable the person affected to remain continent over several hours. They close the anal canal so that no odors or feces can leak.
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