A pilot study of total pelvic floor repair or gluteus maximus transposition for postobstetric neuropathic fecal incontinence

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report pilot data comparing the morbidity and functional outcome of total pelvic floor repair with gluteus maximus transposition for women with postobstetric fecal incontinence. METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized trial of two surgical procedures in 24 women so far. Functional assessment was performed with use of a 20-point clinical incontinence score and patient questionnaire before and after operation. The physiologic parameters, before and after operation, included resting and squeeze anal pressures, length of the high pressure zone, anal and rectal mucosal sensitivity, and pudendal nerve latency. RESULTS: So far, 12 patients have been treated by total pelvic floor repair and 12 by gluteus maximus transposition. Of these, three patients developed wound complications after gluteus maximus transposition compared with none after total pelvic floor repair. Among these cases there was a significant overall improvement in functional score (given as mean ± standard deviation) after both total pelvic floor repair (13.1±2.7vs. 6.6±4.5;P<0.001) and gluteus maximus transposition (13.8±3.8vs. 7.7±6.1;P<0.01), although no difference existed between the groups. There was no change in any of the physiologic measurements after either operation, and preoperative measurements did not identify patients likely to do badly. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude from these preliminary data that both total pelvic floor repair and gluteus maximus transposition significantly improve continence in women with postobstetric neuropathic fecal incontinence. Gluteus maximus transposition gives equivalent results to total pelvic floor repair. Neither procedure has any influence on anorectal physiologic parameters.Preliminary results presented at the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, Glasgow, Scotland, April 9 to 11, 1997.