Fecobionics in proctology: review and perspectives

Area of Science:

• Proctology and Gastroenterology
• Medical Device Technology
• Physiological Assessment

Background:

• Current anorectal function assessment methods have limitations.
• Understanding defecation mechanics is crucial for diagnosing and treating anorectal disorders.
• Novel technologies are needed to provide comprehensive functional insights.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce Fecobionics, an integrated technology for assessing anorectal function.
• To highlight the capabilities of Fecobionics in measuring multiple physiological parameters during defecation.
• To discuss the application of Fecobionics in understanding defecation phenotypes and guiding therapy.

Main Methods:

• Fecobionics utilizes a device with the consistency of a normal stool, measuring pressures, orientation, and diameters (shape) via impedance planimetry during evacuation.
• Simultaneous multi-variable measurements enable the development of novel defecation indices.
• The technology has undergone bench validation, animal studies, and clinical trials.

Main Results:

• Fecobionics provides unprecedented mechanistic insight into the defecation process.
• It has been used to define defecation phenotypes in patients with obstructed defecation, fecal incontinence, and low anterior resection syndrome.
• Studies show Fecobionics correlates more closely with symptoms than existing technologies.
• It has demonstrated utility in predicting biofeedback therapy outcomes for fecal incontinence.

Conclusions:

• Fecobionics represents a significant advancement in anorectal function assessment.
• The technology offers a more comprehensive and symptom-correlated evaluation compared to current methods.
• Future applications include physiological assessment, diagnostics, therapy monitoring, and biofeedback therapy in proctology.