Redo sphincteroplasty: are the results sustainable?

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the long-term outcomes of patients who undergo redo sphincteroplasty (RS).

Methods: Patients with fecal incontinence (FI) who underwent RS between November 1988 and December 2011 were retrospectively identified from a prospective database. A questionnaire and telephone survey assessed current Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence Score (CCFFIS; best 0, worst 20) and Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life (FIQoL; best 4.1, worst 1) scale. Success was defined as no further continence surgery, no stoma and CCFFIS <9 at completion of follow-up. The Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for comparing quantitative variables. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was done to identify predictive factors for success.

Results: Fifty-six (66.7%) of 84 patients who underwent RS were available for evaluation at a median follow-up of 74 (range: 12-283) months. The mean CCFFIS decreased from 16.5 ± 3.7 to 11.9 ± 6.6 (P < 0.001) at last follow-up. Twelve patients (21.4%) underwent further continence surgery for failed sphincteroplasty, three (5.4%) of whom had a permanent stoma. Eighteen patients (32.1%) had a CCFFIS <9 at the completion of follow-up, and 16 (28.6%) had long-term success. Twenty-four patients evaluated for FIQoL had a mean value of 2.6 (range: 1.0-4.1). Postoperative CCFFIS was correlated with FIQoL (Spearman's correlation coefficient = -0.854, P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis did not reveal any significant predictive variables for success of RS.

Conclusion: Based on our criteria for success, the long-term success rate for RS over a median of 74 months is poor.