IS FECAL CONTINENCE IMPROVED BY NONSTIMULATED GRACILIS MUSCLE TRANSPOSITION

PURPOSE: Gracilis muscle transposition for treatment of fecal incontinence gives variable results. Electric stimulation of transposed muscle recently brought this technique to the surface. METHODS: We reviewed patients who had gracilis muscle transposition for fecal incontinence to determine who might benefit from electrostimulation. RESULTS: Between 1979 and 1991, 22 patients underwent gracilis muscle transposition. At six months, 18 patients had improved continence, but 12 of the 18 were stable with time, and only 1 was fully continent. Six patients were candidates for electrostimulation; four had a contractile but fatigable transposed muscle, and two had ineffective transposed muscle with a gaping nonfibrotic anus. CONCLUSION: Gracilis muscle transposition should be used first for severe incontinent patients, and electrostimulation should be used if there are unsatisfactory results.