With an Apneas-Hypopnea Index of less than 30, and in the absence of striking symptoms of OSAHS and in the absence of risk professions such as professional drivers, etc., the correct thing to do is to control weight and the rest of the hygienic-dietary measures, with periodic follow-up.

With an Apneas-Hypopnea Index of less than 30, and in the absence of striking symptoms of OSAHS and in the absence of risk professions such as professional drivers, etc., [HIDDEN] to control weight and the rest of the hygienic-dietary measures, with periodic follow-up.

71-year-old male, retired waiter, non-smoker, who consults for nocturnal snoring. The patient has a body mass index of 31.5 kg/m2 and reports mild postprandial daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale of 3) with no other relevant symptoms, signs or clinical history. The apnea-hypopnea index obtained in the polysomnography was 18. With these data, what is the most appropriate measure to adopt in this patient?

Hygienic-dietary measures and evolution control.

Nasal CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure).

Surgery_Schwartz

tests of personality or psycho-pathological conditions.94 More comprehensive evaluations also assess bariatric surgery knowledge, weight history, lifestyle hab-its, and potential barriers.91,92 Psychological assessment in clinical practice may be inaccurate compared to independent evaluations for research purposes, as patients present themselves in the most favorable light in order to gain access to surgery.95Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is prevalent in over 90% of bariatric surgery candidates with approximately one-third undiagnosed.96-101 The Epworth Sleepiness Scale, a standard set of questions evaluating daytime sleepiness, is often used as a screening tool for OSA.38 As OSA is associated with increased risk of mortality102 (and in bariatric surgery patients, with adverse outcomes),59 routine preoperative screening with polysomnog-raphy should be considered.103 In addition, standard preopera-tive management of obese patients with OSA using continuous positive airway pressure

Polysomnography

The split-night study has these disadvantages: There is less time to make a diagnosis of OSA (Medicare in the US requires a minimum of 2 hours of diagnosis time before the mask can be applied); and There is less time to assure an adequate CPAP titration. If the titration begins with only a few hours of sleep left, the remaining time may not assure a proper CPAP titration, and the patient may still have to return to the lab. Because of costs, more and more studies for "sleep apnea" are attempted as split-night studies when there is early evidence for OSA. (Note that both types of study, with and without a CPAP mask, are still polysomnograms.) When the CPAP mask is worn, however, the flow-measurement lead in the patient's nose is removed. Instead, the CPAP machine relays all flow-measurement data to the computer. The below report is an example report which might be produced from a split night study: See also

Obstructive Sleep Apnea -- History and Physical

The STOP - BANG questionnaire is one of the most widely accepted screening tools for OSA. [35] Snoring: Do you snore loudly (louder than talking or loud enough to be heard through closed doors)? Tired: Do you often feel tired, fatigued, or sleepy during the daytime? Observed: Has anyone observed you stop breathing during your sleep? Blood pressure: Do you have or are you being treated for high blood pressure? BMI: BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 Age: age > 50 yrs Neck circumference: Neck circumference >40 cm Gender: Gender male Use STOP-BANG to decide if high probability of moderate-severe disease. High risk if ‘YES’ to ≥ 3 items Low risk if ‘YES’ to < 3 items Items.

InternalMed_Harrison

Independent of obesity, hypertension occurs in >50% of individuals with obstructive sleep apnea. The severity of hypertension correlates with the severity of sleep apnea. Approximately 70% of patients with obstructive sleep apnea are obese. Hypertension related to obstructive sleep apnea also should be considered in patients with drug-resistant hypertension and patients with a history of snoring. The diagnosis can be confirmed by polysomnography. In obese patients, weight loss may alleviate or cure sleep apnea and related hypertension. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) administered during sleep is an effective therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. With CPAP or BiPAP, patients with apparently drug-resistant hypertension may be more responsive to antihypertensive agents.

Obstructive sleep apnea is more prevalent and severe in men than women. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine offers 2 definitions for scoring hypopneas: "acceptable" = associated with a ≥ 4% oxygen desaturation, adopted by Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and "recommended" = associated with a ≥ 3% oxygen desaturation and/or an arousal. We hypothesized that CMS vs American Academy of Sleep Medicine scoring criteria would differentially impact continuous positive airway pressure eligibility in women and men. We conducted a retrospective review of adult diagnostic in-lab polysomnography at an urban academic institution. All polysomnographies were scored by both CMS and American Academy of Sleep Medicine scoring criteria, and an analysis by sex was performed that considered demographics and other polysomnography variables. Of 969 polysomnographies reviewed, 674 (69.6%) were in women. Women were younger (51.5 vs 53.3 years old) and had a higher body mass index (38.6 kg/m<sup2</sup vs 33.8 kg/m<sup2</sup) but had similar Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores compared to men. The odds of an American Academy of Sleep Medicine apnea-hypopnea index > 5 events/h being missed by CMS scoring in women was 1.89 (95% confidence interval: 1.40-2.53; <iP</i < .001) compared to men and increased to 6.87 among women 40-60 years of age with a body mass index ≥ 40 kg/m<sup2</sup. After controlling for age, body mass index, % rapid eye movement sleep, and mean oxygen saturation, the sex effect remained significant (odds ratio 1.87; 95% confidence interval: 1.36-2.58; <iP</i < .001). CMS scoring criteria imparts a sex bias toward women, potentially resulting in denial of therapy to symptomatic women with obstructive sleep apnea. Larger, prospective cohort studies are needed to confirm these findings. Khalid F, Ayache M, Auckley D. The differential impact of respiratory event scoring criteria on CPAP eligibility in women and men. <iJ Clin Sleep Med</i. 2021;17(12):2409-2414.

Patients with suspected OSA usually present with excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, gasping, choking, or breathing cessation while sleeping that a bed partner witnessed. Excessive daytime sleepiness is one of the most common symptoms. However, the majority of patients are asymptomatic. [24] Many patients only report daytime fatigue with or without other associated symptoms. Therefore, the distinction between sleepiness and fatigue should be objectively assessed. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) [29] can be used to quantitatively evaluate the severity of sleepiness. The ESS score ranges from 0 to 24, and more than 9 points indicate the presence of excessive daytime sleepiness and require additional assessment. A fatigue severity scale can also assess the severity of fatigue symptoms. [30] Using both ESS and FSS is usually helpful as sleepiness, and fatigue symptoms could be present concomitantly. Other symptoms vary from morning headaches [31] and self-reported insomnia [32] to nocturia. [33] Symptoms of sleep-onset insomnia and sleep maintenance insomnia were reported most by women. [34]

Sleep Apnea Syndrome -- History and Physical

A complete history for a patient presenting with signs or symptoms of OSA must be obtained, including symptoms of daytime sleepiness, associated sleep symptoms, snoring, coughing, or choking during sleep, morning headaches, chest pain, dyspnea, or neuropsychiatric changes. Inquiring regarding sleep hygiene and screening for other sleep-related diagnoses is also important. One of the key points is to determine whether the patient is experiencing sleepiness associated with OSA from fatigue, which indicates alternative medical diagnoses.

Polysomnography

Examples of summary reports The below example report describes a patient's situation, the results of some tests and mentions CPAP as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP is continuous positive airway pressure and is delivered via a mask to the patient's nose or the patient's nose and mouth. (Some masks cover one, some both). CPAP is typically prescribed after the diagnosis of OSA is made from a sleep study (i.e., after a PSG test). To determine the correct amount of pressure and the right mask type and size, and also to make sure the patient can tolerate this therapy, a "CPAP titration study" is recommended. This is the same as a "PSG" but with the addition of the mask applied so the technician can increase the airway pressure inside the mask as needed, until all, or most, of the patient's airway obstructions are eliminated.

Treatment of sleep central apnea with non-invasive mechanical ventilation with 2 levels of positive pressure (bilevel) in a patient with myotonic dystrophy type 1.

We are reporting a case of a 29 year-old female with diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (Steinert's disease) with excessive daytime sleepiness, muscle fatigue, snoring, frequent arousals, non-restorative sleep, and witnessed apneas. Pulmonary function tests revealed a mild decrease of forced vital capacity. Nocturnal polysomnography showed an increase of apnea/hypopnea index (85.9 events/h), mainly of central type (236), minimal oxygen saturation of 72%, and end-tidal carbon dioxide values that varied from 45 to 53 mmHg. Bi-level positive airway pressure titration was initiated at an inspiratory pressure (IPAP) of 8 and an expiratory pressure (EPAP) of 4 cm H2O. IPAP was then gradually increased to eliminate respiratory events and improve oxygen saturation. An IPAP of 12cm H20 and an EPAP of 4cm H2O eliminated all respiratory events, and the oxygen saturation remained above 90%. Bi-level positive airway pressure treatment at spontaneous/timed mode showed an improvement in snoring, apneas, and Epworth sleepiness scale decreased from 20 to 10. This case illustrates the beneficial effects of Bi-level positive airway pressure support in central sleep apnea syndrome of a patient with myotonic dystrophy type 1.

Comparative study between clinical history and polysomnogram in the obstructive sleep apnea/ hypopnea syndrome.

Recognizing sleep-disordered breathing is on the rise every year. Manifestations, such as snoring, that were earlier considered mere inconvenients are now acquiring greater importance concerning life quality and social impact. To compare the clinical history to polysomnogram (PSG) results in the Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS). 125 patients were analyzed, in a retrospective study. Specific questionnaires, avaliations of Body Mass Index and Epworth Scale were carried out. Among the patients, 75 were males and 50 were females. The main symptom was snoring. 46% had normal PSG, 30% had light OSAHS, 15% moderate and 9% severe OSAHS and it was not observed a correlation between clinical data and PSG results. Concerning clinical symptoms, only insomnia has shown relevance when univariably analyzed in normal and light OSAHS patients (p<0,05) compared to patients with moderate and severe OSAHS, losing its importance when analyzed together with other factors. the clinical history, per se, is not sufficient to define OSAHS' diagnosis or it's severity.

Evidence of the effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure in the treatment of sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is worldwide considered as the standard treatment of sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) although studies on the effectiveness of this treatment are limited. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of CPAP in improving SAHS-related symptoms, daytime function, perceived health status, and quality of life in patients with moderate to severe SAHS. The effect of conservative treatment (CT) measures-sleep hygiene and weight loss- was compared with CT + CPAP. We included 105 consecutive patients (13 females, age 53 +/- 10 yr, body mass index [BMI] = 32 +/- 6 kg/m2, apnea/hypopnea index [AHI] = 56 +/- 20, Epworth sleepiness scale [ESS] = 12 +/- 5) who met our criteria for CPAP treatment. Patients were randomly allocated in two groups of similar characteristics. Group 1 (n = 37) was asked to improve sleep hygiene and started a weight loss program. Group 2 (n = 68) received, in addition, treatment with CPAP. Both groups were followed through weekly telephone calls and appointments. Sleepiness, other symptoms related to SAHS, daytime function, perceived health status, and quality of life were assessed through questionnaires at inclusion and after 3 mo of treatment. The relief of sleepiness and other SAHS-related clinical symptoms and improvement in perceived health status was much greater in Group 2 receiving CT + CPAP compared with Group 1, only receiving CT. The odds of experiencing a treatment response with CPAP + CT compared with CT alone was 6.52 (odds ratio [OR] = 2.51 to 17.6, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]). CPAP is currently the treatment of choice. At this time, the indication of CPAP treatment in moderate to severe SAHS is adequately supported.

Who needs a sleep test? The value of the history in the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.

Many experts believe that a polysomnogram to screen for obstructive sleep apnea should be performed on every patient who has a history of loud snoring and sleepiness. In contrast, the author believes that with a careful history and physical examination, there is no need to study all such patients, at least not until home polysomnography units become as convenient and economical as pulse oximetry.

[Snoring/sleep apnea--surgically curable].

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by nocturnal collapsing of the upper airways. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) ventilation is the gold standard in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Long-term compliance rates do not exceed more than 60 to 70%. Alternative multi-level surgeries are of interest, combining procedures at the level of the base of tongue and the soft palate in order to stabilize the airway. Preliminary results suggested the hyoid suspension as one part of the multi-level surgery concept to be of high effectiveness. Therefore this study investigated the outcome of the hyoid suspension and compared it with the CPAP therapy. Between March 2001 and February 2003, 66 patients with OSA were treated with a hyoid suspension in combination with surgeries at the base of tongue, the soft palate or the nose (always performed by the same surgeon). All patients underwent a pre- and postoperative polysomnography in the sleep lab. Daytime sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Mean age was 52,1 years, the mean body mass index (BMI) was 28,04 kg/m(2). The mean apnea-hypopnea-index (AHI) was 38,9121,10/h before operation and 19,25+/-19,64/h after operation (p<0,0001). More statistically significant changes were found for the arousal index, the oxygen saturation and the ESS (p<0,05). After surgery 57,6% of the subjects (38/66) were regarded as cured (reduction of AHI > or =50% and below 15/h). Another 21,2% (14/66) improved (reduction of AHI >20%). Altogether 78,8% of the patients were counted as responders. Multi-level surgeries based on the hyoid suspension show the effectiveness of this concept. This surgical strategy could be equal to the CPAP mask, especially in cases of CPAP intolerance.

[History of the treatment of snoring].

The history of snoring can be divided into three major periods. First, there was a prehistoric phase during which everything was ignored and in which there was no interest in knowing anything. We call this "le repos du guerrier'. Sleep was regarded mainly as a phase of recovery, and there was no question of related problems. A second period began about the beginning of this century: they still did not know anything, but it was felt that something needed to be done. Multiple types of therapy were attempted. This was a time in which research extended in all directions. Modern times began in the middle of this century with the first serious work of medical scientists who discovered and defined the sleep apnea syndrome, the UPPP, the CPAP, etc.

Influence of nasal resistance on initial acceptance of continuous positive airway pressure in treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is considered as the standard therapy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), but some patients with OSAS are unable to accept CPAP due to nasal obstruction and poor nasal airflow. We assessed the influence of nasal resistance before beginning CPAP treatment on the initial acceptance of CPAP in OSAS patients. The study subjects comprised 77 patients (74 males, 3 females) with primary OSAS, all of whom received CPAP treatment with nasal masks. Before trials, all subjects underwent overnight polysomnography, and nasal resistance was measured with active anterior rhinomanometry in the seated position on the first day of CPAP trial. The CPAP treatment was accepted by 56 patients after the initial trials with overnight polysomnography. Body mass index, the number of apnea/hypopnea episodes per hour (apnea/hypopnea index; AHI), and the number of episodes per hour with an oxygen desaturation of >3% (oxygen desaturation index) were significantly higher (p<0.01) and nasal resistance was lower (p=0.003) in patients who accepted CPAP than in those who did not. Logistic regression analysis, with patient age, body mass index, Epworth sleepiness scale score, AHI, oxygen desaturation index, and nasal resistance before CPAP treatment as explanatory variables, showed that nasal resistance (OR+0.1 Pa/cm3/s: 1.48; p=0.002) and AHI (OR+1 event/h: 0.93; p=0.003) were significant factors for CPAP non-acceptance. Nasal resistance before the beginning of CPAP treatment has a significant effect on the acceptance of CPAP in OSAS patients, and hence, could be a predictive parameter for the initial acceptance of CPAP.

Somnology

Somnology is the scientific study of sleep. It includes clinical study and treatment of sleep disorders and irregularities. Sleep medicine is a subset of somnology. History After the invention of the EEG, the stages of sleep were determined in 1936 by Harvey and Loomis, the first descriptions of delta and theta waves were made by Walter and Dovey, and REM sleep was discovered in 1953. Sleep apnea was identified in 1965. In 1970, the first clinical sleep laboratory was developed at Stanford. The first actigraphy device was made in 1978 by Krupke, and continuous positive airway pressure therapy and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty were created in 1981.

Determinants for adherence to continuous positive airway pressure therapy in obstructive sleep apnea.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is an efficacious treatment for patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, there are only few data on long-term adherence. The aim of this study is to quantify the extent of non-adherence and describe the clinical characteristics. A retrospective study including 695 patients with newly diagnosed OSA and prescribed CPAP therapy within an inclusion period of 14 months. All patients were offered free of charge individually adjusted CPAP therapy. Data on comorbidity, medication, BMI and Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS) were obtained by questionnaires and consultation with an otorhinolaryngeal specialist. The median follow-up time after initiating CPAP therapy was 3.0 (range 2.4-3.6) years. An adherence rate of 89% was found for severe OSA, 71% for moderate OSA and 55% for mild OSA. 18% initiated humidification. Patients adherent to CPAP had a significantly higher Body Mass Index (BMI), Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI), Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI) and ESS compared to non-adherent patients. Furthermore, adherence was associated with a higher frequency of observed interrupted breathing, a less frequent use of hypnotic drugs, fewer smokers, and they were more often offered humidification. Age, gender and comorbidity were not significantly associated with adherence. In a Cox model only AHI (Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.963, p < 0.001), ESS (HR 0.939, p = 0.001) and smoking (HR 1.576, p = 0.022) were independently associated with CPAP non-adherence. The severity of OSA, subjective daytime sleepiness and smoking status are independently related to adherence to CPAP therapy.

A comprehensive history and physical examination are crucial in the workup for suspected OSA, with special attention to all possible sites of the upper airway obstruction. The nasal cavity is carefully evaluated for conditions that decrease the patency of the nasal airway, including septal deviation, inferior turbinate hypertrophy, masses or lesions, nasal valve collapse, or adenoid hypertrophy. The oropharynx is also carefully examined with attention to factors that may decrease patency, including an enlarged or elongated soft palate or uvula, which is often seen in patients with chronic obstructive respiratory disorders. The physician also evaluates palatine tonsil hypertrophy and macroglossia and their effect on oropharyngeal airway patency. The Updated Friedmann Staging System for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a widely used screening tool for evaluating oropharyngeal patency, including tongue position, palatine tonsil size, and body mass index into stage I-IV. [29] This is a validated scale that is helpful not only in screening patients but also may be useful in determining optimal treatment modalities and tracking outcomes.

Psychological status, syndromatic measures, and compliance with nasal CPAP therapy for sleep apnea.

38 male patients with obstructive sleep apnea were asked to complete 2 weeks of rating symptoms, physical examination, diagnostic polysomnography, and MMPI testing prior to being placed on nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. Six months later, 26 (72.2%) of the 36 subjects available for follow-up showed continued compliance. A regression analysis conducted with those 28 subjects who completed all pretreatment measures showed that continued therapy was predicted by such pretreatment measures as patients' body mass index, ratings of daytime sleepiness and nocturnal sleep quality, and MMPI Depression and Hypochondriasis scale scores (R2 = 0.63). Eventual compliers had a higher Body Mass Index, reported less daytime sleepiness and better nocturnal sleep quality, and scored lower on the MMPI D and Hs scales prior to treatment than did the noncompliers. A linear discriminant function analysis with analog cross-validation showed these five predictors would identify approximately 80% of eventual noncompliers and 97% of those who display compliance. It was concluded that subjective report and personality measures may be useful in predicting long-term use. Additional studies are needed to assess the clinical significance of the noted MMPI scale elevations among sleep apnea patients in general and among those patients who display eventual noncompliance.

Obstructive sleep apnoea: a clinical review.

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common medical disorder associated with considerable morbidity and is being recognized and diagnosed with increasing frequency. Patients with OSA are frequently overweight and usually present with longstanding history of snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness along with accompanying obesity. The diagnosis is established with Polysomnography (PSG), although the decision as to who should be sent to a sleep laboratory must be individualised, especially for those patients whose main complaint is snoring. The most important factor in the pathogenesis of OSA is a narrow and floppy pharyngeal airway. Of the several treatment modalities which are available presently, the most successful is the application of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) during sleep.

Short-term and long-term effects of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation in patients with obesity-hypoventilation syndrome.

To assess the outcome of 54 patients with obesity-hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) who were treated with nasal intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV). Descriptive analysis of retrospectively collected clinical data. From March 1995 to December 2002, OHS (defined as a body mass index [BMI] of > 30 kg/m2, a daytime Pa(CO2) of > or = 50 mm Hg, and a Pa(O2) of < 60 mm Hg in the absence of COPD) was diagnosed in 69 cases. Fifteen patients (21.7%) refused to be treated with NIPPV, and 20 patients were started on NIPPV therapy electively and 34 following an acute exacerbation. We employed daytime arterial blood gas values and overnight pulse oximetry to determine the initial NIPPV modes and settings. The outcome measures were survival, clinical status, and arterial blood gas levels. Among the 54 study patients (18 women), the mean (+/- SD) age was 56 +/- 13 years. The mean BMI was 44 +/- 8.8 kg/m2. Sleep apnea syndrome (apnea-hypopnea index, > 5) was present in 87% of the patients. At presentation, 22 of the 54 patients had experienced an acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (pH < 7.34). None of these patients required orotracheal intubation after NIPPV treatment. Initially, 2 patients were treated with volume-preset ventilation, 49 patients used pressure-preset equipment, and 3 patients employed continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Forty-seven patients required supplemental oxygen. At the end of the follow-up period (mean duration, 50 months), Pa(O2) had increased by 24 mm Hg from baseline (95% confidence interval [CI], 21 to 28 mm Hg; p < 0.0001) and Pa(CO2) had decreased by 17 mm Hg (95% CI, 13 to 20 mm Hg; p < 0.0001). NIPPV therapy improved subjective sleepiness (mean Epworth sleepiness scale score decrease, 16 +/- 5 to 6 +/- 2; p < 0.001), and dyspnea decreased in all but four patients. During follow-up, three patients died (one of them due to the progression of respiratory failure). NIPPV therapy could be withdrawn in 5 patients who had achieved a sufficient weight loss, and the conditions of 16 patients could be maintained without respiratory failure by the use of simple therapy with CPAP. NIPPV therapy is effective in the treatment of patients with OHS, providing a significant improvement in clinical status and gas exchange.

[Assessment of recent weight history before instituting continuous positive airways pressure in a cohort of patients with severe obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnea syndrome].

The aim of this study is to evaluate the recent weight history in patients with the obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) needing treatment with continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP). Over a period of 18 months, a self-administered questionnaire concerning recent weight history was given to patients during the installation of CPAP. The study population consisted of 1337 patients. An increase in weight of at least 5% over the 5 years preceding the institution of CPAP was found in 44% of patients. This increase was moderate (5-10%), important (10-20%) and very important (>20%) in respectively 12.3%, 16.1% and 15.6% of patients. The patients with important or very important weight gain differed from those whose weight remained steady in a higher percentage of women, young people, and patients with a higher prevalence of obesity, persistent smoking, a history of venous thromboembolism and treatment with anti-depressants. A recent increase in weight is frequently seen in severe OSAHS and is associated with some clinical characteristics.

Positive airway pressure

The CPAP machine blows air at a prescribed pressure (also called the titrated pressure). The necessary pressure is usually determined by a sleep physician after review of a study supervised by a sleep technician during an overnight study (polysomnography) in a sleep laboratory. The titrated pressure is the pressure of air at which most (if not all) apneas and hypopneas have been prevented, and it is usually measured in centimetres of water (cm). The pressure required by most patients with sleep apnea ranges between 6 and 14 cm. A typical CPAP machine can deliver pressures between 4 and 20 cm. More specialised units can deliver pressures up to 25 or 30 cm.

The Effectiveness of Nasal Airway Stent Therapy for the Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) experience excessive daytime sleepiness and insomnia and they are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease and stroke. Continuous positive airway pressure therapy could improve symptoms and decrease these risks; however, adherence is problematic. Although the oral appliance is another therapeutic option, patient satisfaction is limited and the effect of the nasal airway stent - a new device - remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of NAS therapy in patients with mild-to-moderate OSAS in a prospective, single-arm, interventional pilot study. Patients with mild/moderate sleep apnea (n = 71; Apnea-Hypopnea Index [AHI], 5-20 events/h on polysomnography) were recruited. Sleep-associated events were measured using a portable device (WatchPAT200) pre- and immediately post-treatment and at 1 month follow-up. AHI (including supine and non-supine AHI), Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI), Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI), percutaneous oxygen saturation, heart rate, and snore volume were evaluated. Symptoms were assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. NAS use significantly improved AHI, supine AHI, RD, ODI, and snore volume compared to pre-intervention (r = 0.44, 0.48, 0.3, 0.42, and 0.34; p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.011, p < 0.001, and p = 0.048, respectively). Additionally, 25 and 10% of patients showed complete and partial response for AHI, respectively; these improvements remained significant 1 month later. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores improved from 6.0 to 5.3 (r = 0.46, p = 0.022). NAS therapy reduced severity and snoring in patients with mild-to-moderate OSAS. Approximately 30% of patients did not tolerate NAS due to side effects.

[Evolution study in children with suspected obstructive sleep apnea].

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a common disorder in childhood with an uncertain evolution. Study of children's clinical evolution with suspected diagnosis of OSAS, which was carried out after two years of an overnight polisomnogram. 73 children were studied. We evaluated if they had been operated and what type of surgery was performed, Brouillete Scale and subjective impressions. We have correlated: age, clinical evolution and surgery. Age was inversely correlated with changes in Brouillete (r=-0.39, p=0.002), standing out that children that underwent surgery were younger (4.1 vs. 7.0 years, Student t: -4.22, p=0.00009). Without the influence of age, the difference between evolution in operated and not operated ones was not significative, statistically speaking, but it was if we analysed the different types of surgery by themselves (Snedecor F: 3.9, p=0.007), tonsillectomy was the larger. The middle-term evolution in children with OSAS is good if we use the correct treatment.

Sleep surgery

Normal: <5 events per hour Mild: 5 to <15 events per hour Moderate: 15 to 30 events per hour Severe: >30 events per hour The Wisconsin Sleep Cohort Study, a longitudinal study of the natural history of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), found that of a random sample (602 employed men and women, 30–60 years old) the prevalence of OSA (5 or more events/hr) was 9% for women and 24% for men. However, the study found that among sleepy patients in this group, 2% of women and 4% of men met criteria for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Those who snored habitually, were more likely to have an AHI of 15 or more.

Daytime sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and severe obesity: prevalence, predictors, and therapy.

We sought to determine prevalence and predictors of excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with severe obesity with a body mass index (BMI) > 35 kg/m(2) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with an apnea-hypopnea index > 15/h. The study population consisted of 245 obese OSA patients with a BMI > 35 kg/m(2), who were retrospectively recruited from 3256 consecutive patients who underwent polysomnography at our sleep laboratory between 2006 and 2009. Baseline clinical characteristics and polysomnography results of these 245 patients were compared between patients with and without excessive daytime sleepiness, which was diagnosed in the presence of an Epworth Sleepiness Scale score (ESS) ≥ 11. A total of 123 of 245 study patients (50.2 %) had an ESS ≥ 11. Patients with an ESS ≥ 11 were younger and less often unemployed or retired compared with patients with an ESS < 11. Polysomnography revealed a longer total sleep time (TST), higher sleep efficiency, and shorter sleep latency in patients with ESS ≥ 11. In addition, obstructive apneas during TST as well as oxygen saturations < 80 % occurred significantly more often in patients with versus without an ESS ≥ 11. Improvement of daytime sleepiness after initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy occurred more often in patients with versus without ESS ≥ 11 (93 versus 73 %, p < 0.01). Obese patients with OSA and excessive daytime sleepiness are characterized by younger age, longer TSTs, more frequent obstructive apneas, and oxygen desaturations < 80 % compared with patients without excessive daytime sleepiness. Excessive daytime sleepiness can be improved in more than 90 % of patients using CPAP therapy.

Obstructive sleep apnea: a clinical review.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a relatively common disorder which is being recognized and diagnosed with increasing frequency. Patients with this disorder are frequently overweight and usually present with longstanding history of heroic snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness. The diagnosis is established with an overnight sleep study, although the decision as to who should be sent to a sleep laboratory must be made on an individual basis, particularly for those whose main complaint is snoring. The major factor in the pathogenesis of this disorder is a narrow and floppy pharyngeal airway. Of the several treatment modalities available at the present time, the most successful is application of continuous positive airway pressure during sleep.

[Therapy with nasal CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). I: Long-term acceptance of nasal CPAP].

Nocturnal ventilation with nCPAP has been established as the safest and most efficient nonsurgical treatment for OSAS. Long-term results, however, are determined by the patients' compliance with therapy. The aim of this study was the objective measurement of long-term acceptability of nCPAP therapy in all patients receiving this treatment in our sleep laboratory between January 1990 and March 1995. We prospectively investigated 41 patients (36 male, 5 female) with moderate to severe OSAS who received nCPAP therapy. Mean time of follow-up was 20.6 months, ranging from 1.2 to 53.5 months. Therapy was indicated when OSAS was confirmed by cardiorespiratory polygraphy and either (1) the patient complained of daytime sleepiness or (2) the patient possessed an apnea-hypopnea index greater than 30/h or when the mean oxygen desaturation was below 80% regardless of the presenting symptoms. The compliance with treatment was defined as a mean rate of use of over 5 hours per night calculated from the time counter on the nCPAP machine. 33 patients (88.5%) have continued using nCPAP until the present time but only 24 patients (59%) met our criteria for long-term acceptance and this group was identified as responders. We found no significant differences in age, body mass index, apnea-hypopnea index, and nCPAP-pressure between responders and non-responders. Although nCPAP is the safest treatment for OSAS, there is still a large group of patients with moderate to severe OSAS who are not efficiently treated with nCPAP because of the low long-term acceptability of this therapy. With respect to this group of patients, surgical approaches have to be considered as an alternative therapy.

[Comparative analysis of the clinical history and polysomnography in sleep disorders. Diagnostic relevance of polysomnography].

The incidence of associate pathologies has been studied during the sleep, as well as the diagnostic efficiency of the clinical history. Patients (n = 136) remitted by diverse services, have been studied. It has been carried out a complete polysomnography, as well as other supplementary studies (anxiety and depression tests, excessive daytime sleepiness Epworth's test, EEG and sleep notebook). The most common symptom turned out to be the primary snores, followed by the excessive daytime sleepiness and apneas. The results of the excessive daytime sleepiness Epworth's test and the anxiety and depression tests were not useful to differ among pathologies, not even between pathologies and patients with normal sleep. The percentage of diagnosis of suspicion confirmed by the polysomnography was of 39.7%, while in 11% of the total of patients it was observed the existence of more than a pathology of the sleep. In 49.3% of the cases the polysomnographic diagnosis was completely different from the diagnosis of suspicion. Among the patients with clinic suspicion of apnoea, in 48.3% of the cases the existence of the same one was verified, although in 14.6% it was associated with other pathologies. In 51.7% of the patients it was not possible to confirm this pathology. The clinical history is not enough for the diagnosis of the pathologies of the sleep. On the other hand, the existence of associate pathologies diminishes the value of several 'screening-methods'. Therefore, it is fundamental to carry out a complete polysomnography in all the patients that present any sleep disorder on the part of doctors that approach the problem of the sleep in a global way and not only thinking in the possible existence of syndrome of sleep apnoea.

[Predictive value of clinical features and nocturnal oximetry for the detection of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in adults. To evaluate the diagnostic value of clinical features and oximetric data to screen for obstructive sleep apnea before performing polysomnograpy or respiratory polygraphy. We studied 328 consecutive adult patients referred for snoring or excessive daytime sleepiness to a sleep clinic in whom a standardized questionnaire and the Sleepiness Epworth Scale were performed and body mass index (BMI), cervical circumference (CC), and nocturnal oximetry were measured. Fifty three percent (n = 173) had evidence of clinically significant OSA (apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) > 15 events/h). Patients with OSA were more likely to be male, obese (BMI ≥ 26 kg/m²), smokers, to have a thick neck (CC > 41 cm), and to have a significant greater prevalence of relative reported apneas and excessive daytime sleepiness, as determined by Epworth scale. Male gender (Odds ratio (OR): 4.00; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.59-10.0, p = 0.003), BMI ≥ 26 kg/m² (OR: 3.68; 95%CI: 1.59-8.49, p = 0.002), smoking (OR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.17-4.47, p = 0.015), Epworth index > 13 (OR: 2.65; 95% CI: 1.35-5.23, p = 0.005) and duration of symptoms over 2 years (OR: 2.35; 95% CI: 1.20-4.58, p = 0.012) were significant independent predictors of OSA. In nocturnal oximetry, the lowest SpO2 (SpO2 min) and the length of registries below 90% (CT-90) were independent predictors of OSA and both correlated significantly with AHI (r = -0.49 and r = 0.46 respectively, p < 0.001). No single factor was usefully predictive of obstructive sleep apnea. However, combining clinical features and oximetry data may be appropriate to detect clinically significant OSA patients.

[Remission of nocturnal pathological respiratory patterns after orthotopic heart transplantation. A case report and overview of current status of therapy].

Cheyne-Stokes respiration is characterized by recurrent phases of central apneas during sleep alternating with a crescendo-decrescendo hyperventilation. This abnormal respiratory pattern is often observed in patients with severe congestive heart failure and associated with fragmentation of sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, and a relatively high mortality. Increased peripheral and central chemosensitivity, prolonged circulation time, and reduced blood gas buffering capacity are the major factors contributing to the pathology. However, the exact pathophysiologic mechanisms are not clear yet. Respiratory stimulants, oxygen and continuous or bilevel positive airway pressure (CPAP or BiPAP) might reduce the severity of Cheyne-Stokes respiration but have little effect on daytime sleepiness and cardiac function. There is only limited data supporting the assumption that intensive heart failure therapy has an effect on Cheyne-Stokes respiration. A 55-year-old male patient with dilative cardiomyopathy (NYHA IV) suffered excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale: 24 points). The patient was a heavy snorer with a normal body mass index. Treatment was initiated including ACE-inhibitors, beta-receptor blockers, diuretics and digoxin. The patient underwent sleep analysis with a Somno-Check system which demonstrated Cheyne-Stokes breathing (Respiratory Disturbance Index RDI: 40/h, lowest desaturation 76%) and body position dependent snoring. Oxygen therapy (21/min) had no effect on daytime sleepiness. Due to the cardiac condition, the patient was accepted for heart transplantation. Three weeks after transplantation sleep analysis was repeated and demonstrated a lack of evidence for periodic breathing (RDI 1/h, no desaturations below 90%), while snoring remained unchanged. Daytime sleepiness improved significantly (Epworth Sleepiness Scale: 6 points). Three weeks after normalizing left ventricular function a complete recovery from severe Cheyne-Stokes respiration was observed. Adequate therapy of the underlying cause of Cheyne-Stokes breathing such as end-stage congestive heart failure might sufficiently abolish any breathing abnormalities.


1 is not effective,

The answer is surgical sphincteroplasty 3. 1 is not effective, 2 is not effective for an organic lesion with normal electromyography, 4 is not necessary since the lesion is only of the external sphincter, 5 is not indicated in a lesion that can be repaired with surgery with good results.

The answer is surgical sphincteroplasty [HIDDEN]. [HIDDEN], [HIDDEN], [HIDDEN], [HIDDEN].

A 26-year-old woman presenting with fecal incontinence after a prolonged instrumental delivery. An endoanal ultrasound was performed showing a section of the external anal sphincter of 30º amplitude. The electrophysiological study shows normal innervation. What is the most indicated treatment?

Medical treatment with hygienic and dietary norms.

Fecal incontinence

Parks describes post anal repair, a technique to reinforce the pelvic floor and EAS to treat idiopathic cases. Endoanal ultrasound is invented in 1991, which starts to demonstrate the high number of occult sphincter tears following vaginal deliveries. In 1994, the use of an endoanal coil during pelvic MRI shows greater detail of the anal canal than previously. During the last 20 years, dynamic graciliplasty, sacral nerve stimulation, injectable perianal bulking agents and radiofrequency ablation have been devised, mainly due to the relatively poor success rates and high morbidity associated with the earlier procedures.

Randomized clinical trial of intra-anal electromyographic biofeedback physiotherapy with intra-anal electromyographic biofeedback augmented with electrical stimulation of the anal sphincter in the early treatment of postpartum fecal incontinence.

The purpose of this study was to compare intra-anal electromyographic biofeedback alone with intra-anal biofeedback that was augmented with electrical stimulation of the anal sphincter in the treatment of postpartum fecal incontinence. A secondary aim was to examine the impact of the treatment on continence-related quality of life. Sixty symptomatic women were assigned randomly to receive intra-anal electromyographic biofeedback or electrical stimulation of the anal sphincter once weekly for 12 weeks and to perform daily pelvic floor exercises between treatments. Therapeutic response was evaluated with a symptom questionnaire to determine continence score, anal manometry, and endoanal ultrasound scanning. Quality of life was assessed before and after treatment with a validated questionnaire. Fifty-four women completed the treatment; 52 women (96%) had ultrasonic evidence of an external anal sphincter defect. After the treatment, both groups demonstrated significant improvement in continence score (P < .001) and in squeeze anal pressures (P < .04). Resting anal pressures did not alter significantly. Quality of life improved after the completion of physiotherapy, but there were no differences in outcome between intra-anal electromyographic biofeedback and electrical stimulation of the anal sphincter. Intra-anal electromyographic biofeedback therapy was associated with improved continence and quality of life in women with altered fecal continence after delivery. The addition of electrical stimulation of the anal sphincter did not enhance symptomatic outcome.

[Adult fecal incontinence due to anal sphincter lesions: which preoperative preparations? Which surgical solutions?].

Management of fecal incontinence due to anal sphincter lesions involves a good preoperative evaluation. This tends to confirm the incontinence, to search its mechanism, and to classify it according to the type of sphincter lesion owing to manometry, ultrasonography, and defecography. The surgical option is discussed after failure of medical treatment and biofeedback. The aim of surgery is to restore the incontinence and to maintain the exemption function. The surgical procedures include the sphincter repairs, the sphincter substitution, or even colostomy. Among the procedures of sphincter repairs, the direct repair is performed for obstetrical ruptures or postsurgical lesions of the anal sphincter, and the pelvic floor repairs are performed for fecal incontinence with intact but poorly functioning sphincter. Failures of these conservative methods lead the surgeons to develop new techniques for anal sphincter substitution. Dynamic graciloplasty and artificial sphincter (both under evaluation) constitute currently the promising alternatives to colostomy.

[External anal sphincter repair using the overlapping technique in patients with anal incontinence and concomitant pudendal nerve damage].

No single surgical technique has so far emerged as the optimal approach to treat defects of the anal sphincter in patients with postpartum fecal incontinence. Our approach is to repair the external sphincter using the overlapping technique to optimize morphological and clinical outcome. The results were correlated with preoperatively determined pudendal nerve function. Thirty-five patients were followed up for three years after repair of the external anal sphincter. The patients had grade 2 (n = 29) or grade 3 (n = 6) fecal incontinence. Nineteen (54 %) patients had a concomitant defect of the internal anal sphincter and 28 (80 %) had abnormal pelvic floor EMG findings. Before surgery, all patients underwent conservative treatment with biofeedback and electrostimulation. The muscle ends were overlapped with Vicryl 4-0 sutures. A standardized protocol was used for the perioperative management in all patients. Of the 35 patients who underwent overlapping repair of the external anal sphincter, 32 (91 %) had a satisfactory result at 3-year follow-up based on sonomorphological criteria. These 32 patients were continent for solid and liquid stools. Six of the 35 patients (17 %) continued to have flatus incontinence. Two (6 %) patients were improved and one patient (3 %) had unchanged incontinence. Pudendal nerve damage had no effect on the outcome of surgery. Our findings at 3-year follow-up show good results for the overlapping repair of the external anal sphincter in terms of morphology and clinical symptoms. This outcome depends on an adequate preoperative pelvic floor conditioning, optimal perioperative management, and use of a standardized operative technique. Surgical repair of the morphological defect is recommended even in patients with pudendal nerve damage.

[Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in fecal incontinence in general practice of the surgically educated proctologist].

Age related, about 10% of the general population suffer from faecal incontinence. In a surgical, proctological office diagnosis is possible with carefully taken history, physical examination, digital examination of the anorectum, rigid rectosigmoidoscopy, and anoscopy. Together with special examinations (endoanal ultrasound, electromyography, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency [PNTML], anorectal manometry, defaecography, transit time of the colon) the plan for medical and surgical treatment can be made. The basic medical conservative therapy consists of regulating the form of stool (high fibre diet and/or loperamid), training of the sphincter and pelvic muscles electrical stimulation or biofeedback training. Outpatient surgery is possible for small prolapsing tumors of the lower rectum or anal canal, hemorrhoids grade 2 or segmental anal prolapse. Inpatient surgery is needed for any form of reconstruction of the sphincter or the sensitive area of the anal canal, post- and preanal repair, anal and rectal prolapse, (dynamic) gracilis sphincteroplasty, or for a terminal stoma in those patients, whose uncontrolled incontinence cannot be managed otherwise. After surgery it is needed to continue the medical therapy (regulating the bowel movements, biofeedback training, electrical stimulation of the sphincter).

Etiology and management of fecal incontinence.

Fecal incontinence is a challenging condition of diverse etiology and devastating psychosocial impact. Multiple mechanisms may be involved in its pathophysiology, such as altered stool consistency and delivery of contents to the rectum, abnormal rectal capacity or compliance, decreased anorectal sensation, and pelvic floor or anal sphincter dysfunction. A detailed clinical history and physical examination are essential. Anorectal manometry, pudendal nerve latency studies, and electromyography are part of the standard primary evaluation. The evaluation of idiopathic fecal incontinence may require tests such as cinedefecography, spinal latencies, and anal mucosal electrosensitivity. These tests permit both objective assessment and focused therapy. Appropriate treatment options include biofeedback and sphincteroplasty. Biofeedback has resulted in 90 percent reduction in episodes of incontinence in over 60 percent of patients. Overlapping anterior sphincteroplasty has been associated with good to excellent results in 70 to 90 percent of patients. The common denominator between the medical and surgical treatment groups is the necessity of pretreatment physiologic assessment. It is the results of these tests that permit optimal therapeutic assignment. For example, pudendal nerve terminal motor latencies (PNTML) are the most important predictor factor of functional outcome. However, even the most experienced examiner's digit cannot assess PNTML. In the absence of pudendal neuropathy, sphincteroplasty is an excellent option. If neuropathy exists, however, then postanal or total pelvic floor repair remain viable surgical options for the treatment of idiopathic fecal incontinence. In the absence of an adequate sphincter muscle, encirclement procedures using synthetic materials or muscle transfer techniques might be considered. Implantation of a stimulating electrode into the gracilis neosphincter and artificial sphincter implantation are other valid alternatives. The final therapeutic option is fecal diversion. This article reviews the current status of the etiology and incidence of incontinence as well as the evaluation and treatment of this disabling condition.

Sacral nerve stimulation is a valid approach in fecal incontinence due to sphincter lesions when compared to sphincter repair.

Anal sphincter lesions represent the major cause of fecal incontinence, particularly in women. Sphincteroplasty with overlap is the traditional treatment, but a significant reduction in benefits within 5 years of surgery has been reported. More recently, sacral nerve stimulation has been suggested following sphincteroplasty or as primary treatment. Overall, 24 women with fecal incontinence in the presence of anal sphincter lesions underwent sphincteroplasty (14 patients, mean age 47.6 +/- 15.6 years, range 26-70) or definitive implant of sacral nerve stimulation (10 patients, mean age 60.7 +/- 17.6 years, range 26-73), using identical selection criteria. At baseline, patients were studied with clinical evaluation, 3-dimensional endoanal ultrasound, and anorectal manometry (ARM), repeated at follow-up (median 60.0 months, range 6-96 in sphincteroplasty group; median 33.0 months, range 6-84 in sacral nerve stimulation group). At baseline, both groups presented similar characteristics. Two sphincteroplasty patients (14.3%) experienced relapse of fecal incontinence at 6 and 19 months after treatment, whereas good to excellent continence was observed in all of the sacral nerve stimulation patients. Compared to baseline, both groups showed a significant improvement in clinical parameters, and ARM data remained unchanged. In 12 of 14 sphincteroplasty patients, the repaired sphincter at endoanal ultrasound was found to overlap. At follow-up, comparison between sphincteroplasty and sacral nerve stimulation showed no significant differences in clinical and ARM parameters, if related to lesion of internal, external, or both sphincters. These data appear to confirm that sacral nerve stimulation could represent a valid alternative in the treatment of fecal incontinence patients presenting with sphincter lesion that was not preceded by sphincteroplasty.

Fecal incontinence

While the first mention of urinary incontinence occurs in 1500 BC in the Ebers Papyrus, the first mention of FI in a medical context is unknown. For many centuries, colonic irrigation was the only treatment available. Stoma creation was described in 1776, FI associated with rectal prolapse in 1873 and anterior sphincter repair in 1875. During the mid 20th Century, several operations were developed for instances where the sphincters were intact but weakened. Muscle transpositions using the gluteus maximus or the gracilis were devised, but did not become used widely until later. End-to-end sphincteroplasty is shown to have a high failure rate in 1940. In 1971, Parks and McPartlin first describe an overlapping sphincteroplasty procedure. Biofeedback is first introduced in 1974. In 1975, Parks describes post anal repair, a technique to reinforce the pelvic floor and EAS to treat idiopathic cases. Endoanal ultrasound is invented in 1991, which starts to demonstrate the high number of

[Diagnosis and conservative therapy of anal fecal incontinence].

The main diagnostic tool for patients with anal incontinence is the anorectal physiology. The anorectal sphincter can be reliably tested. Due to the fact that an obstetric damage is the most common cause of anal incontinence, the transanal endosonography is the imaging method of choice for detecting a muscle defect. With high frequency ultrasound probes (preferable 10 Mhz) the pathomorphology of the sphincter can be studied in details. If conservative treatment is failing, the neurophysiology testing is helpful in deciding which surgical method (sphincter repair in case of an intact nervus pudendus, artificial sphincter or sacral stimulation in case of neuropathy). The conservative treatment includes increasing the internal sphincter muscle tonus by applying Phenylephrine locally or Loperamid per os. The biofeedback is basically a physical muscle training of the external sphincter with a visual or acoustic feedback of the muscle function to the patient. However, newer studies show that by this method the sensory function and the coordination of the anal sphincter are improving as well. With these conservative treatment options most of the patients suffering from anal incontinence can be treated satisfactorily.

[The treatment of fecal incontinence].

The treatment of faecal incontinence includes: the education of the patient, medical therapy, biofeedback and sphincteric exercises, surgical therapy. Conservative, non-surgical treatment is almost always the initial therapeutic approach, except in those cases in which an evident defect of the sphincter muscle is present. Surgical treatment has seen a noteworthy increase in the last fifteen years as a consequence of the development of new surgical techniques. These techniques include: external anal sphincter plasty, pelvic floor plasties, sacral neuromodulation, muscular transpositions with or without electrostimulation, artificial anal sphincter. These procedures may be employed as first or second level treatment depending on the type of pathology considered and its aetiology. The 1st results achieved by surgical treatment authorise us to believe that reconversion with artificial sphincter is a valid alternative to graciloplasty, notwithstanding the fact that its costs are higher. Attentive pre- operative assessment of patients is important. Patients must be strongly motivated and able to manage the new condition. Although further studies are necessary, the degree of satisfactory of the 1st patients operated is the best stimulus for pursuing the development of this technique.

[Reconstruction of anal sphincters following fecal incontinence and assessment of functional results].

The aim of the study was to assess functional results of surgical sphincter reconstructions for anal incontinence. From August 1999 to January 2007, 52 patients (females 50, males 2), 45 y.o.a. on average (24-69), underwent secondary anal sphincters reconstructions for fecal incontinence, resulting from birth injuries, event. in combination with sphincter weakening in pudendal neurophathy, or for post-anorectal surgery incontinence. Duration of the incontinence symptoms prior to the surgery was 2 months to 19 years. The overlap technique in combination with anterior levatorplasty was used in most subjects (n = 31). In 12 subjects, anterior sphincters and levators plication was performed. Four patients underwent overlap reconstructions only and five patients underwent complete sphincter reconstructions. Protective colostomy was performed in six patients. Six patients underwent additional postoperative biofeedback. Endoanal ultrasound was performed in all patients prior to their procedures. Terminal motor latency examination of the pudendal nerve was indicated in all patients with sphincter dysfunction without localized defects. Anal manometry was recorded prior and post-operatively. Incontinence was assessed using the St. Mark's incontinence score (0-13). The patients assessed the reconstruction results based on the Likert scale. The reconstruction was successfull in 46 patients (88.5 %), full continence was recovered in 20 (38.5 %) patients and improvement of incontinence was recorded in 26 (50 %) subjects. In six subjects (11.5 %), the reconstruction failed. The mean incontinence score reduction following the procedure was from 11.8 to 2.4. The short-term sphincter reconstruction results were successful in the majority of the subjects, the long-term results will be assessed in another study.

Fecal incontinence

Surgery may be carried out if conservative measures alone are not sufficient to control incontinence. There are many surgical options, and their relative effectiveness is debated due to a lack of good quality evidence. The optimal treatment regime may be a both surgical and non-surgical treatments. The surgical options can be considered in four categories: restoration and improvement of residual sphincter function (sphincteroplasty, sacral nerve stimulation, tibial nerve stimulation, correction of anorectal deformity), replacement / imitation of the sphincter or its function (anal encirclement, SECCA procedure, non-dynamic graciloplasty, perianal injectable bulking agents), dynamic sphincter replacement (artificial bowel sphincter, dynamic graciloplasty), antegrade continence enema (Malone procedure), and finally fecal diversion (e.g. colostomy). A surgical treatment algorithm has been proposed. Isolated sphincter defects (IAS/EAS) may be initially treated with sphincteroplasty and if

Surgical management of fecal incontinence

improves FI symptoms in the short term in most (50-80%) patients with sphincter defects. Thereafter, continence deteriorates. Most who undergo this operation are incontinence again after 5 years. Poor results with this procedure may be related to pelvic floor denervation (nerve damage). Primary sphincter repair is inadequate in most women with obstetric ruptures following vaginal delivery. Residual sphincter defects remain in most and around 50% remain incontinent. Residual sphincter defect following the operation (as demonstrated by endoanal ultrasonography) then the procedure may be repeated.

The relative effectiveness of surgical options for treating fecal incontinence is not known. A combination of different surgical and non-surgical therapies may be optimal. A surgical treatment algorithm has been proposed for FI, although this did not appear to include some surgical options. Isolated sphincter defects may be initially treated with sphincteroplasty and if this fails, the patient can be assessed for sacral nerve stimulation. Functional deficits of the external anal sphincter (EAS) and/or internal anal sphincter (IAS), i.e. where there is no structural defect, or only limited EAS structural defect, or with neurogenic incontinence, may be assessed for sacral nerve stimulation. If this fails, neosphincter with either dynamic graciloplasty or artificial anal sphincter may be indicated. Substantial muscular and/or neural defects may be treated with neosphincter initially.

Are sphincter defects the cause of anal incontinence after vaginal delivery? Results of a prospective study.

Anal incontinence affects approximately 10 percent of adult females. Damage to the anal sphincters has been considered as the cause of anal incontinence after childbirth in the sole prospective study so far available. The aims of the present study were to determine prospectively the incidence of anal incontinence and anal sphincter damage after childbirth and their relationship with obstetric parameters. We studied 259 consecutive females six weeks before and eight weeks after delivery. They were asked to fill in a questionnaire assessing fecal incontinence. Anal endosonography (7-10 MHz) was then performed. Two independent observers analyzed internal and external anal sphincters. A total of 233 patients (90 percent) were assessed, of whom 31 had cesarean section. De novo sphincter defects were observed in 16.7 percent (14 percent external, 1.7 percent internal, and 1 percent both) in the postpartum period only after vaginal delivery. These disruptions occurred with the same incidence after the first and the second childbirth. Independent risk factors (odds ratio; 95 percent confidence interval) for sphincter defect were forceps (12; 4-20), perineal tears (16; 9-25), episiotomy (6.6; 5-17), and parity (8.8; 4-19) as revealed by multivariate analyses. The overall rate of anal incontinence was 9 percent and independent risk factors (odds ratio; 95 percent confidence interval) involved forceps (4.5; 1.5-13), perineal tears (3.9; 1.4-10.9), sphincter defect (5.5; 5-15), and prolonged labor (3.4; 1-11). Among these patients only 45 percent had sphincter defects. Anal incontinence after delivery is multifactorial, and anal sphincter defects account for only 45 percent of them. Primiparous and secundiparous patients have the same risk factors for sphincter disruption and anal incontinence. Because external anal sphincter disruptions are more frequent than internal anal sphincter damage, surgical repair should be discussed in symptomatic patients.

Postanal repair for fecal incontinence--is it worthwhile?

Patients with idiopathic or neurogenic incontinence without an isolated sphincter defect may be suitable candidates for a postanal repair. The aim of this study was to assess the results of postanal repair in patients with idiopathic or neurogenic fecal incontinence and to evaluate the role of various parameters, including preoperative physiologic testing on outcome. Postanal repair was offered by a single surgeon to patients meeting the following criteria: incontinence score of at least 12 of 20, absence of an isolated anterior external anal sphincter defect, and failed conservative, medical, and biofeedback management. Physiologic investigation and clinical findings of female patients who had postanal repair for fecal incontinence between 1992 and 1998 were reviewed. Physiologic investigation included anorectal manometry, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency, concentric needle electromyography, and endoanal ultrasonography. Follow-up was obtained by telephone questionnaire; moreover, patients were asked to grade the outcome of their surgery as excellent or good (success) or as fair or poor (failure). Twenty-one patients of median age 68 (range, 40-80) years had a mean duration of fecal incontinence before postanal repair of 6.8 (range, 0.5-22) years. Twenty patients (95 percent) were available for at least one year of follow-up. Seventeen patients (80.9 percent) had at least one prior vaginal delivery, and prior sphincteroplasty had been performed in 10 patients (47.6 percent). The morbidity and mortality rates were 5 and 0 percent, respectively. After a mean follow-up period of three (range, 1-7.5) years, seven patients (35 percent) considered surgery to be successful and had a statistically significant decrease in their incontinence score. Neither prolongation of pudendal nerve terminal motor latency nor external sphincter damage as noted on electromyography or any of the preoperative manometric parameters correlated with outcome. Furthermore, patients' ages at surgery did not correlate with the degree of postoperative improvement in continence scores nor did the duration of the patients' symptoms, number of vaginal deliveries, or a history of previous surgery for fecal incontinence. None of the factors assessed was demonstrated to be predictive of outcome after postanal repair; moreover, the currently available preoperative testing has not altered the success rate, which remains low (35 percent). Despite the low success rate, the absence of any mortality and the low morbidity suggest that postanal repair may be a valid therapeutic approach. However, it should be offered only to selected patients with persistent, severe fecal incontinence despite an anatomically intact external anal sphincter who are not candidates for or refuse all other operative modalities.

[The artificial sphincter: therapy for faecal incontinence].

Faecal incontinence (FI) challenges a patient's professional, social and sexual life. Often the patient becomes depressive and socially isolated. If able to break open for therapy the patient should receive as first line a conservative treatment (like dietary measures, pelvic re-education, biofeedback, bulking agents, irrigation). When is the time to implant an artificial anal sphincter? If conservative therapy fails as well as surgical options (like a sphincteroplasty - if indicated a reconstruction of the pelvic floor if insufficient, or a sacral nerve stimulation) an ultimo surgical procedure should be offered to appropriate and compliant patients: an artificial anal sphincter. Worldwide, there are two established devices on the market: the artificial bowel sphincter® (ABS) from A. M. S. (Minnetonka, MN, USA) and the soft anal band® from A. M. I. (Feldkirch, Austria). How to implant the artificial anal sphincter? Both devices consist of a silicon cuff which can be filled with fluid. Under absolute aseptic conditions this cuff is placed in the lithotomy position by perianal incisions around the anal canal below the pelvic floor. A silicon tube connects the anal cuff with a reservoir (containing fluid) which is placed either behind the pubis bone in front of the bladder (ABS) or below the costal arch (anal band). With a pump placed in the scrotum/labia (ABS) or by pressing the balloon (anal band) in both types operated by the patient the fluid is shifted forth and back between the anal cuff and the reservoir closing or opening the anal canal. Both systems are placed completely subcutaneously. Both devices improve significantly the anal continence. Both systems have a high rate of reoperations. However, the causes for the redos are different. The ABS is associated with high infection and anal penetration rates of the cuff leading to an explantation rate to up to 60 % of the implants. This kind of complication seems to be much lower with the anal band. The major problem in the anal band is a defunctioning valve which occasionally has to be replaced. Despite these problems both types of artificial anal sphincters improve faecal incontinence significantly and, thus, quality of life of incontinent patients.

Fecal incontinence

FI is generally treatable with conservative management, surgery or both. The success of treatment depends upon the exact causes and how easily these are corrected. Treatment choice depends on the cause and severity of disease, and the motivation and general health of the person affected. Commonly, conservative measures are used together, and if appropriate surgery carried out. Treatments may be attempted until symptoms are satisfactorily controlled. A treatment algorithm based upon the cause has been proposed, including conservative, non-operative and surgical measures (neosphincter refers to either dynamic graciloplasty or artificial bowel sphincter, lavage refers to retrograde rectal irrigation). Conservative measures include dietary modification, drug treatment, retrograde anal irrigation, biofeedback retraining anal sphincter exercises. Incontinence products refer to devices such as anal plugs and perineal pads and garments such as diapers/nappies. Perineal pads are efficient and

Fecal incontinence

procedure), and finally fecal diversion (e.g. colostomy). A surgical treatment algorithm has been proposed. Isolated sphincter defects (IAS/EAS) may be initially treated with sphincteroplasty and if this fails, the person can be assessed for sacral nerve stimulation. Functional deficits of the EAS and/or IAS (i.e. where there is no structural defect, or only limited EAS structural defect, or with neurogenic incontinence) may be assessed for sacral nerve stimulation. If this fails, neosphincter with either dynamic graciloplasty or artificial anal sphincter may be indicated. Substantial muscular and/or neural defects may be treated with neosphincter initially.

antibiotics. Once the patient is under anesthesia, an incision is made in front of the anus (the anterior perineum). Scar tissue is removed and the mucosa of the anal canal separated from the damaged sphincter. The sphincter is cut and its ends overlapped and then stitched back together. The exact method of the procedure varies, e.g. the cut sphincter may be stitched back end to end, rather than overlapped, or the IAS and EAS may be repaired as separate stages. Sphincter repair may sometimes be combined with an anterior levatorplasty (an operation to tighten the pelvic floor). A surgical drain is left to prevent buildup of fluid. After the operation, sitz baths are recommended to maintain hygiene during healing, and laxatives prescribed to avoid hard stool. Overlapping anterior sphincteroplasty improves FI symptoms in the short term in most (50-80%) patients with sphincter defects. Thereafter, continence deteriorates. Most who undergo this operation are incontinence again after 5

Primary sphincter repair: are the results of the operation good enough?

This study was designed to evaluate the clinical outcome of primary anal sphincter repair caused by obstetric tears and to analyze possible risk factors associated with sphincter rupture during vaginal delivery. A total of 52 females with a third-degree or fourth-degree perineal laceration during vaginal delivery were examined. The symptoms of anal incontinence were obtained by a standard questionnaire. In addition to a clinical examination, endoanal ultrasound, anal manometry, and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency examinations were performed. A control group consisted of 51 primiparous females with no clinically detectable perineal laceration after vaginal delivery. After primary sphincter repair, 31 females (61 percent) had symptoms of anal incontinence. Fecal incontinence occurred in 10 females (20 percent). According to Hardcastle and Parks' and Jorge and Wexner's classifications, the study group had more severe symptoms of anal incontinence than the control group (P<0.001 in both classification groups). In endoanal ultrasound examination, a persistent defect of the external anal sphincter was found in 39 females (75 percent) in the rupture group compared with 10 females (20 percent) in the control group (P<0.001). Anal sphincter pressures were significantly lower in the rupture group than in the control group. An abnormal presentation was the only risk factor for anal sphincter rupture during vaginal delivery. After primary sphincter repair, persistent external anal sphincter defect and symptoms of anal incontinence are common in females who have had a primary sphincter repair after vaginal delivery. The means of improving the results of primary repair should be studied further.

In fecal incontinence (FI), surgery may be carried out if conservative measures alone are not sufficient to control symptoms. There are many surgical options described for FI, and they can be considered in 4 general groups. Restoration and improvement of residual sphincter function sphincteroplasty (sphincter repair) Correction of anorectal deformities that may be contributing to FI Sacral nerve stimulation Replacement / imitation of the sphincter or its function Narrowing of anal canal to increase the outlet resistance without any dynamic component Anal encirclement (Thiersch procedure) Radiofrequency ablation ("Secca procedure") Nondynamic graciloplasty ("bio-Thiersch") Implantation/injection of microballoons, carbon-coated beads, autologous fat, silicone, collagen. Dynamic sphincter replacement Implantation of artificial bowel sphincter (neosphincter) Dynamic graciloplasty Antegrade continence enema (ACE)/ antegrade colonic irrigation

Surgery_Schwartz

and defecography can detect rectal prolapse. Endoanal ultrasound is invaluable in diagnosing sphincter defects (Fig. 29-8).Therapy depends on the underlying abnormality. Diarrhea should be treated medically (fiber, antidiarrheal agents). Even in the absence of frank diarrhea, the addition of dietary fiber may improve continence. Some patients may respond to bio-feedback and this approach may be considered in patients who fail dietary modification. Many patients with a sphincter defect are candidates for an overlapping sphincteroplasty. Sacral nerve Brunicardi_Ch29_p1259-p1330.indd 126923/02/19 2:28 PM 1270SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONSPART IIstimulation been shown to decrease episodes of fecal incon-tinence and has proven durability in the long term (5 years). The artificial bowel sphincter may be useful in patients who fail other interventions. Other options include radiofrequency energy to the anal canal (SECCA procedure), magnetic anal sphincter, and injectable submucosal bulking

Pudendal neuropathy and severity of incontinence but not presence of an anal sphincter defect may determine the response to biofeedback therapy in fecal incontinence.

It has been suggested that the severity of fecal incontinence, the presence of pudendal neuropathy, or an external anal sphincter defect does not preclude clinical improvement with biofeedback therapy. A discrepancy, however, is frequently found between subjective improvement and objective results after biofeedback therapy. Our aim was to assess whether severity of fecal incontinence, presence of pudendal neuropathy, or an external anal sphincter defect could influence the results of manometric parameters after biofeedback therapy in patients with fecal incontinence. Biofeedback therapy was used to treat 27 patients with fecal incontinence (25 women; mean age, 53; range, 29-74 years), according to a strict protocol. Manometry, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency, and anal ultrasound were performed in all patients before biofeedback therapy. Manometric evaluation of external anal sphincter function was performed after the biofeedback sessions. Eight of 27 patients had a good clinical response to biofeedback, but with no significant difference in their mean amplitude and duration of squeeze pressure before and after biofeedback. There was no relationship between the clinical results of biofeedback therapy and the initial severity of fecal incontinence, pudendal neuropathy, or external sphincter defect. Patients with severe incontinence (incontinence to solids) and pudendal neuropathy failed to improve the amplitude and duration of their maximum voluntary contraction after biofeedback therapy. Patients with mild fecal incontinence (incontinence to flatus, liquids, or both) (P<0.04), without pudendal neuropathy (P<0.02), or with (P<0.05) and without (P<0.05) external sphincter defect improved their external anal sphincter function after biofeedback therapy. In patients with fecal incontinence, the severity of symptoms and pudendal neuropathy should be considered as two factors of poor prognosis of favorable manometric results after biofeedback therapy. Improvement, on the other hand, may be expected after biofeedback therapy despite an external anal sphincter defect.

Diagnosis of anal sphincter tears to prevent fecal incontinence: a randomized controlled trial.

Maternal anal sphincter tears after vaginal delivery are frequently not diagnosed clinically and are associated with subsequent fecal incontinence. This study examined whether diagnosis of these tears by ultrasonography, followed by immediate surgical repair, reduces the occurrence of incontinence. We conducted a randomized trial involving 752 primiparous women without a clinically evident anal sphincter tear to evaluate the benefit of adding endoanal ultrasonography immediately after vaginal delivery to the standard clinical examination of the perineum. When a sphincter tear was diagnosed, the perineum was surgically explored and the sphincter sutured. The main outcome evaluated was fecal incontinence 3 months postpartum graded by the Wexner incontinence scale, which measures incontinence to flatus and liquid or solid stools, need to wear a pad, and lifestyle alterations. Among women assessed by ultrasonography, 5.6% had a sphincter tear. Severe incontinence was reported 3 months after childbirth by 3.3% of women in the intervention group compared with 8.7% in the control group (risk difference -5.4%; 95% confidence interval -8.9 to -2.0; P = .002). The benefit of the intervention persisted 1 year after delivery, with 3.2% severe incontinence in the intervention group compared with 6.7% in the control group (risk difference -3.5%; 95% confidence interval -6.8% to -0.3%; P = .03). Ultrasonography needs to be performed in 29 women to prevent 1 case of severe fecal incontinence. Ultrasound examination of the perineum after childbirth improves the diagnosis of anal sphincter tears, and their immediate repair decreases the risk of severe fecal incontinence. I.

Anorectal manometry

Medical Uses Fecal Incontinence After eliminating structural causes of fecal incontinence from the differential diagnosis, anorectal manometry may be used to evaluate deficiencies in sphincter function or anorectal sensation. An abnormal resting pressure or squeeze pressure may indicate problems with either the internal anal sphincter or the external anal sphincter respectively. Both increased and decreased anorectal sensation has also been detected in individuals with fecal incontinence. The use of HD-ARM can allow recognition of pressure asymmetry within the anorectum. Some patients with fecal incontinence benefit from muscle strength training which may make use of anorectal biofeedback.

Direct repair vs. overlapping sphincter repair: a randomized, controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to compare the results of two surgical techniques (direct end-to-end vs. overlapping) of delayed repair of a localized anterior defect of external anal sphincter after an obstetric trauma. During a five-year period, 23 patients were randomly assigned to direct end-to-end repair (n = 12) or overlapping sphincter repair (n = 11), using 2-0 PDS sutures. Two patients from each group had an internal anal sphincter defect that also was repaired. All patients had a normal pudendal nerve terminal motor latency preoperatively. Evaluations included endoanal ultrasound, anorectal manometry, and neurophysiologic evaluation. Continence was assessed by the Cleveland Clinic Continence Score (0-20; 0, perfect continence; 20, complete incontinence). The two groups were comparable with regard to age (median, 45 years), past history of sphincter repair (n = 2), and posterior vaginal repair. There was no major morbidity. The wound-healing rate was identical between the two groups. However, of the patients undergoing overlapping repair, two had fecal impaction, and one had a urinary retention. Median preoperative continence score was 17 in both the direct-repair group (score, 8-20) and the overlap group (score, 7-20). At a median follow-up of 18 months, the improvement in continence was similar between the two surgical groups, with a median continence score of 3, respectively. In both surgical groups there was a significant and similar improvement in maximum squeeze pressure and in the functional anal canal length postoperatively (P < 0.05), but the mean resting pressure was relatively unchanged. In the overlap group, one patient developed a unilaterally prolonged pudendal nerve terminal motor latency that was persistent 22 months after surgery, and two patients had impaired fecal evacuation postoperatively. This randomized, controlled study suggests that the outcome is similar whether direct end-to-end or overlapping repair of a sphincter defect is performed. Overlapping repair might be associated with more difficulties with fecal evacuation and a prolonged pudendal nerve terminal motor latency postoperatively.

[Surgical treatment of anal incontinence].

An epidemiologic assessment of the frequency of anal incontinence and the assessment of the social and economic impact of this handicap allowed progress of the surgery: muscular repair by myorraphy, mainly posterior myorraphy (postanal repair) or sphincteroplasty by direct suture of external anal sphincter, development of an invasive surgery by implantation of a neosphincter (artificial anal sphincter), development of mini-invasive surgery by sacral nerve stimulation, failure of mini-invasive procedures by injection of a bulking agent or radiofrequency, development of cellular therapy by injection of autologous myoblasts. In the same time, progress of digestive functional explorations (anorectal manometry, electrophysiological tests, endoanal ultra sonography, MRI, colonic transit time) and a better knowledge of colonic and ano-rectal physiology improved the surgical thought.

Surgery_Schwartz

most common Figure 29-8. A. Endoanal ultrasonography showing the normal layers of the anal canal. B. Endoanal ultrasonography with anterior sphincter defect from birthing injury. EAS = external anal sphincter; IAS = internal anal sphincter. (Used with permission from Charles O. Finne III, MD, Minneapolis, MN.)ABtraumatic cause of incontinence is injury to the anal sphincter during vaginal delivery. Other causes include anorectal surgery, impalement, and pelvic fracture.After a thorough medical evaluation to detect underly-ing conditions that might contribute to incontinence, evalua-tion focuses on assessment of the anal sphincter and pudendal nerves. Pudendal nerve terminal motor latency testing may detect neuropathy. Anal manometry can detect low resting and squeeze pressures. Physical examination and defecography can detect rectal prolapse. Endoanal ultrasound is invaluable in diagnosing sphincter defects (Fig. 29-8).Therapy depends on the underlying abnormality. Diarrhea should be

This operation aims to repair sphincter defects (which may be of unknown cause) or damage from trauma (usually caused by obstetric damage). Where the sphincter has separated from a tear, this procedure brings these ends back together. Primary sphincteroplasty is repair carried out soon after the trauma has occurred, whilst other repairs may be carried out years after the original trauma (secondary or delayed sphincter repair), usually because the trauma went unrecognised. Usually, sphincter defects are in the anterior position on the sphincter, when an anterior sphincteroplasty may be carried out. Where the sphincter defect is laterally or posteriorly placed, this carries a less successful outcome. Overlapping anterior sphincteroplasty is preceded by a bowel preparation and possibly antibiotics. Once the patient is under anesthesia, an incision is made in front of the anus (the anterior perineum). Scar tissue is removed and the mucosa of the anal canal separated from the damaged

Multimodal Management of Fecal Incontinence Focused on Sphincteroplasty: Long-Term Outcomes from a Single Center Case Series.

The management of patients with fecal incontinence and an external anal sphincter (EAS) defect remains controversial. A retrospective series of overlapping anal sphincteroplasties performed between 1985-2013 from a single center, supplemented by selective puborectalis plication and internal anal sphincter repair is presented. Patients were clinically followed along with anorectal manometry, continence scoring (Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score-CCS) and patient satisfaction scales. Patients with a suboptimal outcome were managed with combinations of biofeedback therapy (BFT), peripheral tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) or repeat sphincteroplasty. There were 120 anterior sphincter repairs with 90 (75%) levatorplasties and 84 (70%) IAS repairs. Over a median follow-up of 120 months (IQR 60-173.7 months) there were significant improvements in the recorded CCIS values (90.8% with a preoperative CCIS &gt; 15 vs. 2.5% postoperatively; <ip</i &lt; 0.001). There were 42 patients who required ancillary treatment with four repeat sphincteroplasties, 35 patients undergoing biofeedback therapy, 10 patients treated with PTNS and three managed with SNS implants with an ultimate good functional outcome in 92.9% of cases. No difference was noted in ultimate functional outcome between those treated with sphincteroplasty alone compared with those who needed ancillary treatments (97.1% vs. 85.7%, respectively). Overall, 93.3% considered the outcome as either good or excellent. Long-term functional outcomes of an overlapping sphincteroplasty are good. If the initial outcome is suboptimal, response to ancillary treatments remains good and patients are not compromised by a first-up uncomplicated sphincter repair.

Artificial bowel sphincter (artificial anal sphincter)