[Gracilis-muscle transplant for the treatment of fecal incontinence (author's transl)].

Between 1962 and 1974, 40 children were treated by transplantation of the gracilis muscle. Clinical and electromyographic follow-up studies were performed on 37 children. Results were good in 12 cases, satisfactory in 11 cases, and poor in 14. Children with myelomeningocele showed the poorest results. Four girls with ano-vestibular fistula were treated by a modified method of operation. Because of the special anatomic situation, the gracilis muscle was positioned around the dorsal rectum in a semicircle only and then fixed to the os pubis under high tension. Results were good in 3 cases and satisfactory in 1 case.