Fecal Incontinence

Fecal incontinence is a frequent, distressing condition that has a devastating impact on patients’ lives. However, patients are typically embarrassed and reluctant to acknowledge this disability, so they relinquish the possibility of being cured and remain socially isolated. Since fecal incontinence may result from various pathophysiological situations, an accurate diagnostic work-up of each patient is fundamental. Today, a wide range of therapeutic options is available, but making the correct choice is pivotal to the successful management of this condition. This book is aimed at all physicians involved in the assessment and treatment of fecal incontinence. Its main purpose is to review the latest advances in the epidemiologic, socio-economic, psychologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of fecal incontinence, in order to establish guidelines for effective treatment.

• Fecal incontinence
• Neurogenic incontinence
• Quality of life
• Sphincter lesions
• Urinary incontinence
• diagnosis
• imaging
• ultrasound
• Ultrasonography

From the reviews:

"This up-to-date, comprehensive book covers all aspects of fecal incontinence. The purpose is to review the latest advances in epidemiology, socioeconomic, psychological, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of fecal incontinence in order to establish guidelines for effective treatment. … The book is aimed at all physicians involved in the assessment and treatment of fecal incontinence, including medical students, residents, fellows, general practitioners, surgeons, and gastroenterologist. Renowned expert in each field from several institutions were invited to contribute." (Kasaya Tantiphlachiva, Doody's Book Review, October, 2007)

"The text is well written, well illustrated with appropriate references at the end, and in some sections augmented by invited commentary. … This book aims to establish guidelines for the effective treatment of fecal incontinence and, on the whole, succeeds admirably. … Overall, this is an excellent edition and ishighly recommended to those with an interest in incontinence and the pelvic floor including colorectal surgeons, higher trainees, urogynecologists, and clinical nurse specialists." (M. C. Winslet, Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, Vol. 51, 2008)

• Department of Surgical Sciences Division of Digestive Surgery, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

  Carlo Ratto, Giovanni B. Doglietto

CARLO RATTO. He was born in Neaples, July 6^th, 1962. He was graduated in Medicine and Surgery at the Catholic University of Rome in 1987. Specialist in General Surgery.

He is Researcher at the Department of Clinica Chirurgica, Catholic University, Rome.

His clinical practice, at the Division of Chirurgia Digestiva, Department of Surgical Sciences of Catholic University, Rome (Policlinico "A. Gemelli"), concerns particularly the colo-recto-anal diseases. He is actively involved in research on: Colorectal cancer, in particular concerning diffusion modalities of the tumor and prognosis, integrated therapies (surgery, chemoradiation, intraoperative radiation therapy), molecular biology; Anal cancer, in particular concerning staging and restaging of the tumor, integrated therapies (chemoradiation); Anorectal physiology, in particular concerning anorectal manometry, electrophysiology studies, endoanal ultrasound in benign anorectal disorders; Fecal incontinenceand constipation, in particular concerning, pathophysiology and treatment with traditional and novel therapeutic modalities (sphincteroplasty, dynamic graciloplasty, sacral neuromodulation); Fistula-in-ano, in particular concerning the assessment of fistula and abscess with endoanal ultrasound related to surgery results; Rectocele, in particular, concerning pathophysiology and modalities of clinical presentation, treatment options.

He is author of a number of scientific publications on international journals, and presented results of his research at national and international scientific meetings.

He is active member of: American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS); European Society of Coloproctology (EACP); Società Italiana di Chirurgia (SIC); Società Italiana di Chirurgia Oncologica (SICO); Società Italiana di Chirurgia Colorettale (SICCR)

He is National Secretary of the Società Italiana di Chirurgia Colorettale (SICCR)

He isNational Scientific Secretary of the Italian Group for Sacral Neuromodulation (GINS).

GIOVANNI BATTISTA DOGLIETTO. He was born in Sparone (TO), April 17^th, 1948. He was graduated in Medicine and Surgery at the Catholic University of Rome. Specialist in General Surgery and Urology.

He is the Chief of the Division of Digestive Surgery of "A. Gemelli" Hospital, and Ordinary Professor of General Surgery at Catholic University, Rome.

His clinical practice concerns particularly the colo-recto-anal diseases, as well as the other GI neoplasms and diseases. He is involved in the management of fecal incontinence. He is actively involved in research on GI diseases.

He is author of more than 500 scientific publications on national and international journals.

He is active member of: Società Italiana di Chirurgia (SIC); Società Italiana di Chirurgia Oncologica (SICO); Società Italiana di Chirurgia Colorettale (SICCR)

Policies and ethics