Endoscopy 2016; 48(05): 484-488
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1393242
Innovations and brief communications
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Botulinum toxin: an endoscopic approach for treating fecal incontinence

Guillaume Gourcerol
1   Department of Digestive Physiology, CHU, Rouen, France
,
Coralie Bénard
1   Department of Digestive Physiology, CHU, Rouen, France
,
Chloé Melchior
1   Department of Digestive Physiology, CHU, Rouen, France
,
Jean-Yves Touchais
2   Department of Hepatogastroenterology, CHU, Rouen, France
,
Phillipe Ducrotte
2   Department of Hepatogastroenterology, CHU, Rouen, France
,
Jean-François Menard
3   Biostatistics unit, CHU, Rouen, France
,
Valerie Bridoux
4   Department of Digestive Surgery, CHU, Rouen, France
,
Anne-Marie Leroi
1   Department of Digestive Physiology, CHU, Rouen, France
› Institutsangaben
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

submitted 29. April 2015

accepted after revision 25. August 2015

Publikationsdatum:
08. Oktober 2015 (online)

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Background and study aims: Fecal incontinence is a common, distressing condition with limited therapeutic options. Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injections have been proposed as a treatment for patients with fecal incontinence. This study aimed to determine the short-term clinical outcomes of BTX-A injections in patients with fecal incontinence of varying etiology.

Patients and methods: Twenty-six patients with fecal incontinence were enrolled, 17 with their native rectum and 9 with a neo-reservoir following a proctectomy for rectal cancer. BTX-A was endoscopically injected into the rectum/reservoir. Scores for severity (CCS) and quality of life (FIQL) were recorded at baseline and at the 3-month follow-up visit.

Results: The CCS was significantly lower after 3 months (median 15, range 4 – 20 vs. 8, range 1 – 19; P = 0.001). The quality of life improved in three of the four FIQL domains. The improvement was maintained in 11 of 12 patients who received more than one injection because of recurrent symptoms. There was no significant predictive factor for the success of BTX-A injections.

Conclusion: This preliminary study demonstrated that rectal/reservoir injections are an effective short-term treatment for fecal incontinence.