Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2022 Mar;51(1):71-91. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2021.10.005.Epub 2022 Jan 7.

Stacy Menees ¹, William D Chey ²

Author information

¹Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: sbartnik@med.umich.edu.

²Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

Abstract

Fecal incontinence (FI) is defined as the involuntary loss or passage of solid or liquid stool in patients. FI is a common and debilitating condition in men and women. The incidence increases with age and also often goes unreported to health care providers. It is crucial that providers ask at-risk patients about possible symptoms. Evaluation and management is tailored to specific symptoms and characteristics of the incontinence. If conservative methods fail to improve symptoms, then other surgical options are considered, such as sacral nerve stimulation and anal sphincter augmentation. This review provides an update on current and future therapies.