Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the severity of anal incontinence and its impact on quality of life and sexual function in women after anal sphincteroplasty.
Study design: Eighty-six women who underwent anal sphincteroplasty during the years 1993 to 2004 were mailed validated survey instruments to evaluate continence status, health-related quality of life, and sexual functioning. Demographic and perioperative data were obtained from patient charts.
Results: At a mean follow-up time of 5.6 +/- 3.0 years, 6 women (11%) were totally continent; 8 women (15%) were incontinent of flatus only, and 41 women (75%) were incontinent of liquid and/or solid stool. Sexual function scores were not correlated with continence scores; 24% vs 4% of subjects who had undergone an overlapping sphincteroplasty versus an end-to-end sphincteroplasty reported pain during intercourse (P = .04).
Conclusion: Anal continence rates 5 years after anal sphincteroplasty are disappointing, adversely impact quality of life, yet do not appear to relate to sexual function.