The Netherlands journal of medicine
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Faecal incontinence is a disabling condition caused by: (1) sphincter damage caused by childbirth, anorectal surgery, trauma, fistulae and abscesses; (2) pudendal neuropathy ("idiopathic faecal incontinence") caused by stretch injury by long-standing constipation or prolonged labor; (3) diminished rectal compliance in proctitis, low anterior resection or small pouches; (4) faecal impaction causing paradoxal diarrhoea; (5) neurological disease involving the pelvic floor and or the central nervous system; (6) diarrhoea. Often several factors play a role in a patient. A medical history and physical examination will generally provide a reasonable diagnosis. ⋯ A suggested work-up of the incontinent patient is given in a table. Besides the classic surgical treatments such as sphincter repair, rectopexy and post-anal repair new (surgical) options have been tried. The most promising new therapy seems the dynamic gracilis repair.