Bowel incontinence

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Digestive system

Inflatable artificial sphincter

GRACILIS MUSCLE TRANSPLANT

In people with loss of nerve function within the rectal sphincter, gracilis muscle transplants have been performed to restore bowel control. The gracilis muscle is taken from the inner thigh and is used to encircle the sphincter, thus providing sphincter muscle tone.

ARTIFICIAL BOWEL SPHINCTER

Some patients may be treated with an artificial bowel sphincter. The artificial sphincter consists of three parts: a cuff that fits around the anus, a pressure regulating balloon, and a pump that inflates the cuff.

The artificial sphincter is surgically implanted around the rectal sphincter. The cuff remains inflated to maintain continence. The person has a bowel movement by deflating the cuff. The cuff will automatically re-inflate in 10 minutes.

FECAL DIVERSION

Sometimes a fecal diversion is performed for people who cannot benefit from other therapies. The large intestine is directed to an opening in the abdominal wall. Stool passes through this opening to a special bag, called an appliance. The person will always need to wear an appliance to collect the stool.

DIET

Bowel incontinence often happens as a result of a deceased ability of the rectal sphincter to handle large amounts of liquid stool. Often, simply changing the diet may reduce the occurrence of bowel incontinence.

Alcohol and caffeine should be taken off the diet, because they may cause diarrhea and the resulting incontinence is some people. Additionally, certain people are unable to digest lactose, a sugar found in most dairy products, and thus develop severe diarrhea after eating such foods. Some food additives such as nutmeg and sorbitol have also been shown to cause diarrhea in susceptible people.

Adding bulk to the diet may thicken the stool and decrease its amount. Certain foods thicken the stools, including rice, bananas, yogurt, and cheese. An increase in fiber (30 grams daily) from whole-wheat grains and bran adds bulk to the diet. Additionally, psyllium-containing products such as Metamucil can be used to add bulk to the stools.