Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 27, 2026
Author Spotlight: Reliable and Reproducible In Vitro Assessment of Drug Impact on Rat Intestinal Tubes
Published on: July 26, 2024
Impact of a Novel Vaginal Bowel Control System on Bowel Function
Madhulika G Varma1, Catherine A Matthews, Tristi Muir
11 Section of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 2 Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 3 Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Urology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 4 Division of Urogynecology, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana 5 Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Indiana University Health System, Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana 6 Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogynecology Institute of Michigan, a division of Grand Rapids Women's Health, Grand Rapids, Michigan 7 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
Background:
Bowel dysfunction, including frequency, fecal urgency, stool consistency, and evacuation symptoms, contributes to fecal incontinence.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a vaginal bowel control system on parameters of bowel function, including frequency, urgency, stool consistency, and evacuation.
Design:
This was a secondary analysis of a multicenter, prospective clinical trial.
Settings:
This study was conducted at 6 sites in the United States, including university hospitals and private practices in urogynecology and colorectal surgery.
Patients:
A total of 56 evaluable female subjects aged 19 to 75 years with 4 or more fecal incontinence episodes on a 2-week bowel diary were included.
Interventions:
The study intervention was composed of the vaginal bowel control system, consisting of a vaginal insert and pressure-regulated pump.
Main Outcome Measures:
Subjects completed a 2-week baseline diary of bowel function before and after treatment completed at 1 month. Fecal urgency, consistency of stool (Bristol score), and completeness of evacuation were recorded for all bowel movements.
Results:
Use of the insert was associated with an improvement in bowel function across all 4 categories. Two thirds (8/12) of subjects with a high frequency of daily stools (more than 2 per day) shifted to a normal or low frequency of stools. Analysis of Bristol stool scale scores demonstrated a significant reduction in the proportion of all bowel movements reported as liquid (Bristol 6 or 7), from 36% to 21% (p = 0.0001). On average, 54% of stools were associated with urgency at baseline compared with 26% at 1 month (p < 0.0001). Incomplete evacuations with all bowel movements were reduced from 39% to 26% of subjects at 1 month (p = 0.0034).
Limitations:
The study follow-up period was 1 month (with an optional additional 2 months).
Conclusions:
The vaginal bowel control system was associated with an improvement in bowel symptoms and function, including reduced bowel movement frequency, less fecal urgency, increased solid consistency, and improved evacuation in patients with significant fecal incontinence.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management
01:21Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
01:21Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS
01:17Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:17Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...