Critical assessment of the quality of continence after postanal repair for faecal incontinence.

One hundred and twenty-four patients had a postanal repair for the treatment of faecal incontinence between January 1976 and July 1987. One hundred and sixteen of these patients have been followed up for more than 1 year with a median follow-up of 5 years. Incontinence was improved in 81 per cent of patients. Furthermore, bowel frequency fell: 58 per cent had more than four bowel movements before operation compared with 19 per cent after operation. However, 60 per cent of patients still claimed urgency, 76 per cent still leaked faeces and 52 per cent continued to wear pads after the operation. Maximum resting anal pressure and maximum squeeze pressure did not change significantly after operation either in patients whose bowel control was improved or in those who were not. The results indicate that the quality of continence after postanal repair is poor.