Overlapping anal sphincteroplasty: impact of suture selection on bowel symptoms

To look at women who underwent overlapping anal sphincteroplasty (OAS) with the use of either permanent or absorbable sutures and to describe patient-reported fecal continence and quality of life.

A case series of 40 women who underwent OAS completed the Modified Manchester Health Questionnaire a mean of 50 months after surgery. Descriptive statistics were used to describe those who had permanent sutures and those who had absorbable sutures.

The primary outcome, loss of solid stool, was similar at 50% for each group. Severity of incontinence symptoms, as measured by the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index, was lower in the permanent suture group (15.9 vs. 24.0). There was no difference in overall impact on quality of life.

While overall patient-reported fecal incontinence was similar, permanent suture use at time of OAS was associated with decreased fecal incontinence severity.