Injectable bulking agents for passive faecal incontinence

Injection of aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid in the treatment of fecal incontinence: a single-center observational study

PURPOSE

Perianal injection of bulking agents is an attractive treatment option for patients with mild to moderate fecal incontinence (FI). Various bulking agents have been used for injection therapy, but the optimal injection materials and methods are yet to be standardized. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of injection therapy using aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid (ALTA) in the management of FI.

METHODS

This study included consecutive patients who underwent ALTA injection therapy for FI at our institution. The procedure was performed with the patient in the jackknife position, under caudal epidural anesthesia. The procedure consisted of a 4-step injection to the 3 main cushions and a multipoint injection to the remaining submucosa of the anal canal.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven patients (mean age, 76 years) were enrolled in the study. The mean Cleveland Clinic incontinence score of 11.9 ± 4.1 at baseline significantly improved to 7.3 ± 5.2 at 3 months following treatment. The mean maximal resting pressure also increased significantly 3 months after the intervention. Postoperative complications were observed in 3 patients (3.9%), and all events were mild. The mean duration of postoperative follow-up was 17.5 months. The cumulative recurrence-free rate at 3 years was 72.4%.

CONCLUSION

ALTA injection for FI is safe, easy to perform, and provides reasonable mid-term outcomes. Moreover, concomitant anorectal diseases that may be contraindicated by other injectable bulking agents could be treated simultaneously. Therefore, ALTA injection is a promising alternative in the absence of other injectable agents.

A short- and long-term follow-up study of intersphincteric NASHA Dx implants for fecal incontinence

BACKGROUND

The bulking agent NASHA Dx injected into the submucosal layer is effective in the treatment of fecal incontinence (FI) at short-and medium-term follow-up but efficacy after injection in the intersphincteric location is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the short- and long-term efficacy and safety of NASHA Dx injected into the intersphincteric location for FI.

METHODS

Patients were recruited from referrals to our Department for treatment of FI in November 2008-January 2010. Eligible patients were injected with 8 ml of NASHA Dx. Patients with a subtotal treatment effect were retreated after 2-4 weeks. The change in number of fecal incontinence episodes, the proportion of responders defined as at least 50% decrease in number of FI episodes and side effects were the main outcome measures.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients, 15 women and 1 man with a median age of 68, 5 (range 44-80) years and a median CCFIS of 15 (range 10-19) were included in the study. The median number of incontinence episodes decreased from 21.5 (range 8-61) at baseline to 10 (range 0-30) at 6 months (p = 0.003) and 6 (range 0-44) at 12 months (p = 0.05). The median number of incontinence episodes in the 11 patients completing the 10-year follow-up was 26.5 (range 0-68). The percentage of responders at 12 months and 10 years were 56% and 27%, respectively. Mild to moderate pain at the injection site was described by 69%. There was one case of mild infection, successfully treated with antibiotics and one implant had to be removed due to dislocation.

CONCLUSIONS

NASHA Dx as an intersphincteric implant improves incontinence symptoms in the short term with moderate side effects and can be used alone or as an adjunct to other treatment modalities. Long-term efficacy was observed in 27%.

Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Options for Fecal Incontinence

Fecal incontinence (FI), defined as the involuntary loss of solid or liquid feces through the anus is a prevalent condition with significant effects on quality of life. FI can affect individuals of all ages and in many cases greatly impairs quality of life but, incontinent patients should not accept their debility as either inevitable or untreatable. The severity of incontinence can range from unintentional elimination of flatus to the complete evacuation of bowel contents. It is reported to affect up to 18% of the population, with a prevalence reaching as high as 50% in nursing home residents. However, FI is often underreported, thus obscuring its true prevalence in the general population. The options for treatment vary according to the degree and severity of the FI. Treatment can include dietary and lifestyle modification, certain medications, biofeedback therapy, bulking agent injections, sacral nerve stimulation as well as various types of surgery. In this article, we aim to provide a comprehensive review on the diagnosis and management of FI.

Transanal submucosal polyacrylamide gel injection treatment of anal incontinence: a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

The efficacious and safe use of transurethral injections of polyacrylamide hydrogel (Bulkamid(®)) in women with stress urinary incontinence suggests that it may be suitable also for treatment of anal incontinence. We aimed to determine the effectiveness and safety of polyacrylamide hydrogel when used as a transanal submucosal bulking agent in women with anal incontinence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty women with a diagnosis of anal incontinence and a Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score (CCIS) >10 were randomized to three different techniques of transanal submucosal injections using polyacrylamide hydrogel. Follow up was performed at 2, 6 and 12 months using CCIS and the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life scale (FIQL).

RESULTS

In all, 29 of the 30 women completed the follow up. Approximately half of the women requested a re-injection at the 6-month visit. The overall CCIS improved significantly from baseline (14.7. SD 2.5) to 1 year (12.4. SD 3.1) (p = 0.003). There was a significant improvement with regard to the occurrence of loose fecal incontinence (p = 0.014) but not for solid fecal incontinence (p = 0.28). At 1 year the FIQL domains of coping-behavior, depression, and embarrassment showed significant improvements (p = 0.012, p = 0.007 and p = 0.007, respectively). We recorded no adverse events related either to the injection technique or the biomaterial. There were no significant differences between the treatment groups in either CCIS or FIQL scores.

CONCLUSION

Transanal submucosal injection of polyacrylamide hydrogel resulted in a modest although significant overall improvement in anal incontinence symptom scores with corresponding improvements in several domains of quality of life, regardless of injection volume.