One-year impact of a bowel management program in treating fecal incontinence in patients with anorectal malformations
Topic overview
Single-center study of 222 ARM patients demonstrates that intensive bowel management programs achieve 70% continence at one year, with sustained improvements in quality of life scores. Both enema-based and laxative-based protocols showed efficacy, with additional benefits noted in urinary symptoms.
Key takeaways
- 70% of ARM patients achieved fecal continence at 1 year using structured bowel management with enemas (73%) or laxatives (62%).
- Intensive bowel management significantly improved continence scores and quality of life metrics, with gains sustained over one year.
- Bowel management programs also improved urinary symptoms in ARM patients, suggesting broader pelvic floor benefits.
- Enemas were more effective than laxatives for achieving continence (74% vs 62%), though both modalities had responders.
- Quality of life improved clinically in physical function (86→92) and psychosocial domains (77→82) after bowel management.
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