ABSTRACT
This paper delineate the definition,etiology and treatment of fecal incontinence,Initial management of fecal incontinence consists of supportive care and medical therapy.If patients fail to re-spond to initial management,such patients should undergo additional evaluation(such as anorectal manom-etry,endorectal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging)to detect functional and structural abnormali-ties causing fecal incontinence and to guide subsequent management.For patients who fail to respond to initial management,options include biofeedback,injectable anal bulking agent,sacral nerve stimulation, and anal sphincteroplasty.Dynamic graciloplasty and artificial anal sphincter devices are associated with significant morbidity and should therefore only be used to treat refractory fecal incontinence.Fecal diver-sion with a colostomy should be reserved for patients with intractable symptoms who are not candidates for any other therapy,or in whom other treatments have failed.