Suboptimal results after sphincteroplasty: another hazard of obesity

This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of sphincteroplasty in obese patients.

Patients with fecal incontinence (FI) who underwent sphincter repair were identified and divided into obese [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m(2)] and nonobese (BMI < 30 kg/m(2)) groups. Cleveland Clinic Florida FI Score (CCFFIS: 0 best and 20 worst) and FI quality of life (FIQoL) score (mean global FIQoL: 4.11 best and 1 worst) were recorded. Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U tests compared quantitative variables; Fisher's exact test was used for categorical variables.

Seventy-nine patients (78 females; mean age: 57 ± 15 years) were divided into obese (n = 15) and nonobese (n = 64) groups and were similar in age, etiology, physiologic parameters, and preoperative CCFFIS. Median follow-up was 64 (13-138) months. There were 3 (25 %) and 11 (17 %) complications in the obese and nonobese groups, respectively (p = 0.68), the most common being wound infection. Mean CCFFIS decreased from 16.0 ± 3.9 to 11.5 ± 6.5 in the obese (p < 0.001) and 16.2 ± 3.4 to 8.4 ± 5.0 in the nonobese groups (p < 0.001). Postoperative CCFFIS correlated with FIQoL (Spearman's correlation coefficient = -0.738, p < 0.001). Nonobese patients had significantly higher CCFFIS improvement (48 vs. 28 % p = 0.04) and a superior mean global FIQoL score (2.19 ± 0.9 vs. 2.93 ± 0.8, p < 0.01). Four (29 %) obese and 11 (17 %) nonobese patients required further surgery after failed sphincteroplasty (p = 0.45).

Risk of complications and need of further continence surgery were similar between obese and nonobese patients. However, obese patients experienced less improvement after sphincteroplasty.