[Anal incontinence. Critical study of the surgical treatment]

Two million French people aged over 45 are thought to suffer from faecal incontinence. The most frequent anatomical or functional causes of this disability are: idiopathic incontinence of falling down perineum due to denervation of its striated muscle; some neurological diseases; rupture or destruction of the sphincter due to traumatic, iatrogenic or obstetrical causes; complete rectal prolapse. Each of these situations has its medico-surgical solution (post-anal repair, sphincterorrhaphy, rectopexy, Delorme's operation, myoplasty, artificial sphincter), always bearing in mind that the fundamental aim is to correct the handicap and restore a good quality continence.