Surgical treatment of anal incontinence--a preliminary report

Six patients with anal incontinence were treated operatively at two Finnish proctological centres: 3 patients with post-anal repair, 2 with direct sphincter repair and 1 with a gracilis sling operation. In short term, improvement of continence was demonstrated in all cases both clinically and by manometric measurements; 5 out of the 6 patients are acceptably continent after surgery. The present techniques of surgical treatment of incontinence can offer gratifying results. Anal manometry is a valuable means in the evaluation of these patients before and after the operation.