The role of transient internal sphincter relaxation in faecal incontinence?

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Abstract
Twenty-five (18%) of 140 incontinent patients and 6 (17%) of 35 normal controls showed episodes of spontaneous internal sphincter relaxation during 30 min multiport manometric and electromyographic recording under resting conditions. The episodes lasted at least 15 s and reduced the pressure in the outermost anal channels by at least 20 cm of water. Patients exhibited more episodes of relaxation than controls (4.3±0.6 vs 2.3±0.2 per subject; mean±SEM; ppppppp<0.05) were all lower in the incontinent patients who showed spontaneous relaxations than in the incontinent control group. In conclusion, spontaneous relaxation of the internal sphincter may be an important factor leading to faecal incontinence in patients with a sensitive rectum, especially as they tend to occur in these subjects in the absence of a compensatory increase in external sphincter activity.