[Insufficiency of the anal sphincter--attempt at anorectal reconstruction]

Continence is highly appreciated in society and is a precondition for human socialization. Thus, in the history of surgery there have been numerous attempts to develop repair techniques for incontinence. They can roughly be divided into three groups: actively inflatable implants (plastic prosthesis), transfer of smooth muscles or transfer of striated, conditioned muscles. In the majority of cases these techniques may well prevent the strains associated with colostomy; however, the patients will remain incapable of recognizing and discriminating the cue of rectal distension. Consequently, repair of sphincter defects will continue to be of major concern in surgery.