[Surgical technic to alleviate anal incontinence using a magnetic anal closure]

Available operative procedures to reduce incontinence are gracilis transplant, levator plastic, free muscle transplantation and pacemakers. Further procedures being tested in clinical trials are electronic cuffs, modified Scott's sphincters, and implantation of cuffs of unstriated muscle. The magnetic anal ring, which has been developed in Erlangen, consists of two halves. Using a sacral approach both parts can be placed around the rectum without opening the bowels. An anal tampon consisting of a magnetic tampon and a tampon covering is responsible for occlusion. The tampon covering consists of polyvinylformalfoam, which guarantees an excellent plugging. Application is similar to tampons for menstruation; tampons can be changed three times a day and the bowel can be emptied normally when a change is made. In order to work successfully the tampon is pressure adapted to the pressure profile of the large bowel. Histologic investigations of the mucosa did not show any alterations. Megacolon or megarectum proximal to the anal ring did not occur.