Biofeedback with and without surgery for fecal incontinence improves maximum squeeze pressure, saline retention capacity and quality of life.

Introduction: Fecal incontinence (FI) impairs quality of life. We performed an audit of biofeedback (BFB) in management of patients with FI.

Methods: Fifty patients (median [range] age 30 [4-77] years; 28 men) who received BFB for median (range) of 15 weeks (4-28), either postoperatively (n=39), or as the sole treatment (n=11) were evaluated. Cleveland continence score (0-good, 20-poor), anorectal manometry parameters, and patient satisfaction (assessed by Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale [FIQLS]) were evaluated at baseline and after the BFB therapy in all patients.

Results: Continence scores improved after intervention. In the surgery + BFB group, mean (SD) continence scores baseline vs. postsurgery + BFB (post-treatment) were 18.2 (3.9) vs. 6 (5.9; p< 0.01). In the BFB alone group, scores were similar at baseline 11.7 (5.9) and 6.1 (5.2) post BFB (p=0.08). Maximum resting anal pressure (MRP) improved from preoperative 12.6 (9.8) mmHg to: vs. 21.1 (11.9) mmHg post-treatment (p< 0.01). In patients who received BFB alone, MRP did not change significantly (pre vs post BFB 22.9 (11.7) mmHg vs. 29.6 (12.1) mmHg [p=0.08]). Maximal squeeze pressure improved significantly (preoperative vs. post-treatment: 46.3 (41.2) mmHg vs. 78.3 (33.9) mmHg [p< 0.01]; pre vs. post BFB alone: 72.4 (34.8) mmHg vs. 114.5 (43.1) mmHg [p< 0.01]). In 29 patients (19 surgery + BFB; 10 BFB alone), maximal tolerable volume in saline continence improved from baseline 47.9 (27.4) mL to 152.6 (87) mL after surgery + BFB (p< 0.01); pre vs. post BFB: 98 mL (95.9) vs. 205 (134.3) p< 0.02]. There was significant improvement in all parameters of FIQLS in both groups: lifestyle (p< 0.02), coping/behavior (p< 0.02), depression/self perception (p< 0.02) and embarrassment (p< 0.02).

Conclusion: BFB therapy with or without surgical reconstruction of the damaged anal sphincter improves maximum squeeze pressure, saline retention capacity, quality of life and is a useful first line treatment for fecal incontinence.