Functional asymmetry of pelvic floor innervation and its role in the pathogenesis of fecal incontinence

While the regular and symmetric innervation of the pelvic floor has been regarded as 'established' for many years, recent data indicate that asymmetry of innervation of the sphincters may exists and may contribute to the occurrence and severity of incontinence symptoms in case of pelvic floor trauma. Methods: A systematic review of published papers on asymmetry of sphincter innervation was performed including studies in healthy volunteers and patients with incontinence. 234 consecutive patients with fecal incontinence were investigated by means of side-separated mass surface EMG from the left and right side anal canal, these data were correlated to clinical and anamnestic findings. Results: The literature survey indicates that asymmetry of sphincter innervation exists in a subgroup of healthy male and female volunteers, and may be a risk factor to become incontinent in case of trauma. Patients with incontinence in whom asymmetry of sphincter innervation could be shown more frequently reported a history of pelvic floor trauma during childbirth. Childbirth per se but not the number of deliveries predicted sphincter asymmetry. Asymmetrically innervated sphincters show a compromised sphincter function in routine anorectal manometry. Conclusion: Assessment of sphincter innervation asymmetry may be of value in clinical routine testing of patients with incontinence. However, a new technology is needed to replace mass surface EMG by multi-electrode arrays on a sphincter probe. This is one of the goals of the EU-sponsored research project OASIS. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.