Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 25, 2026
Removal of an Intravesical Gellhorn Pessary and Staged Repair of a Residual Large Vesico-Vaginal Fistula
Published on: April 14, 2026
Long-term follow-up of dynamic graciloplasty for fecal incontinence
Mart-Jan G M Rongen1, Ozenç Uludag, Kadri El Naggar
1Department of Surgery, University Hospital Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Purpose:
Graciloplasty has been used as a treatment for end-stage fecal incontinence since 1946. Electric stimulation with an implantable pulse generator has existed for 15 years. The gracilis muscle is wrapped around the anal canal and stimulated by intramuscular electrodes connected with an implantable pulse generator. Initial reports have been promising, but long-term results have not been presented to date.
Methods:
Data of 200 consecutive patients with a follow-up of at least two years were analyzed in a prospective manner from 1986 until 1999.
Results:
The overall success rate was 72 percent. In patients with fecal incontinence caused by trauma, the rate was 82 percent. Once continent, patients remained continent after a median follow-up of 261 (standard deviation, 132) weeks. Median survival of the implantable pulse generator until battery expiration was 405 weeks. Disturbed evacuation remained a problem in 16 percent of all patients. Complications were frequent but treatable.
Conclusion:
Dynamic graciloplasty is a good, cost-effective treatment for fecal incontinence with results lasting for a median of more than five years.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
01:26Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...