Standardized Method of the Thiersch Operation for the Treatment of Fecal Incontinence

Conventionally, the Thiersch operation has typically involved blind positioning of the sling, and sling tension is subjectively based on a rule-of-thumb estimate. The aim of this study was to describe standardized methods for performing the Thiersch operation.

Seventeen patients with fecal incontinence underwent the calibrated method of the Thiersch procedure. As an encircling sling, a 6-mm-wide silastic tube was used. Through 4 minimal perianal skin incisions, the sling was placed proximal to the anal skin 3 cm from the anal verge and 4 cm in depth. The circumference of the sling was 10 cm in length. Results were assessed by clinical responses and by comparing pre- and postoperative Wexner scores. The data were collected retrospectively.

The median follow-up period was 9 months (range 6-19). In 16 out of 17 fecal incontinence patients (94.1%), the median Wexner incontinence score was 0 (range 0-3) postoperatively. Localized sepsis developed in three cases (17.7%, 3/17), which were controlled with drainage and antibiotics. Fecal impaction occurred in one case (5.9%, 1/17). There was no removal or breakage of the inserted sling.

The elasticity of the silastic tube reduced the incidence of sling breakage. According to the standardized method, the sling was placed external to the external anal sphincter muscle and at the junction of the external anal sphincter muscle and puborectalis muscle. Fecal incontinence was controlled effectively, and the incidence of fecal impaction was negligible. High reproducibility was observed with this method.