[Assessment of anal incontinence in adults]

Anal incontinence is involuntary loss of stool and flatus through the anal canal. The condition can be severely debilitating to those affected.

The article is based on relevant literature and the authors' clinical experience.

The first examination should include an anorectoscopy as part of a broader clinical examination, and the aim should be to find the cause and describe the condition. An assessment in hospital should comprise endoanal ultrasound for imaging and grading of the incontinence severity with a score system.

Simple preliminary investigations and eventually more specialized investigations in a specialist clinic give a good impression of the condition, and is the basis for choosing treatment and later evaluation.