Causes and prophylaxis of anal sphincter incontinence

This study is based on analysis of causes of anal incontinence and work up of methods of its prophylaxis. 240 patients with various types of anal sphincter incontinence have been treated in the Clinical Medical Centre of Baku city 1990 through 2009. There were 98 (40,8%) males and 142 (59,2%) females aged 14-64 years. There were 5 types of anal sphincter incontinence: congenital, postoperative, postpartum, posttraumatic, and functional. The most frequent cause for anal sphincter's function disorder was surgery on the distal rectum and perineum (39,2%). Among them the first position was taken by surgery for fistula-in-ano (61,7%). In 25,8% cases anal sphincter incontinence occurred after delivery trauma. The choice of surgical tactics for treatment of anal sphincter incontinence should consider the degree of sphincter incontinence as well as anatomical changes of anal canal and perineum and size of muscle defect of the sphincter.