Springer Fecal Incontinence: Diagnosis and Treatment

Fecal incontinence is a common and embarrassing condition with a devastating impact on patients’ lives. Since it may result from a variety of pathophysiological situations, an accurate diagnostic work-up is crucial. A range of therapies is available, but choosing the correct option is pivotal to successful management. This book reviews the latest advances in the epidemiologic, socio-economic, psychological, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of fecal incontinence, helping to establish effective treatment guidelines. Review 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 is highly 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) From the Back Cover 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. About the Author CARLO RATTO. He was born in Neaples, July 6th, 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 incontinence and 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 re