Untreatable faecal incontinence: colostomy or colostomy and proctectomy?
- 22 January 2002
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Colorectal Disease
- Vol. 4 (1) , 48-50
- https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1463-1318.2002.00315.x
Abstract
Purpose To determine the frequency of rectal symptoms and secondary proctectomy in patients undergoing elective permanent end sigmoid colostomy for faecal incontinence and determine risk factors. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing elective end sigmoid colostomy for faecal incontinence at St Mark’s Hospital between January 1991 and December 1998. Patients were divided into three groups: A, symptoms leading to subsequent proctectomy; B, symptomatic but avoiding proctectomy; C, asymptomatic. Results There were 44 patients (80% women, average age 57 years): Group A 12 (27%); Group B 13 (30%); Group C 19 (43%). Group A were on average younger than Group C (45 years vs 64 years, P < 0.05). No other risk factor for symptoms or proctectomy was evident, and in particular a prior history of obstructed defaecation/anal digitation was not related. Only half the patients undergoing proctectomy had histological evidence of defunctioned proctitis in the resected rectum. Conclusions Data are insufficient presently to recommend primary proctectomy in this group of patients (even if it were to be performed laparoscopically).Keywords
This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit:
- Recent advances in the surgical treatment of faecal incontinenceBritish Journal of Surgery, 1998
- Diversion colitisSurgical Endoscopy, 1994
- Diversion colitis in patients scheduled for colostomy closureDiseases of the Colon & Rectum, 1993
- Diversion proctocolitisHistopathology, 1992