Chiarioni G, Ferri B, Morelli A, Iantorno G, Bassotti G. Bio-feedback treatment of fecal incontinence: Where are we, and where are we going? World J Gastroenterol 2005; 11(31): 4771-4775 [PMID: 16097042 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i31.4771]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Dr. Gabrio Bassotti, Strada del Cimitero, 2/a 06131 San Marco (Perugia), Italy. gabassot@tin.it
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Review
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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 21, 2005; 11(31): 4771-4775 Published online Aug 21, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i31.4771
Bio-feedback treatment of fecal incontinence: Where are we, and where are we going?
Giuseppe Chiarioni, Barbara Ferri, Antonio Morelli, Guido Iantorno, Gabrio Bassotti
Giuseppe Chiarioni, Gastroenterological Rehabilitation Division of the University of Verona, Valeggio sul Mincio Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera of Verona, Italy
Barbara Ferri, Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Institute, Policlinico “GB Rossi”, University of Verona Medical School, Italy
Antonio Morelli, Gabrio Bassotti, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia Medical School, Italy
Guido Iantorno, Digestive Motility Unit, Gastroenterology Municipal Hospital “Dr. C.Bonorino Udaondo”, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Gabrio Bassotti, Strada del Cimitero, 2/a 06131 San Marco (Perugia), Italy. gabassot@tin.it
Telephone: Fax: +39-75-584-7570
Received: December 3, 2004 Revised: February 15, 2005 Accepted: February 18, 2005 Published online: August 21, 2005
Abstract
Fecal incontinence is a disabling disease, often observed in young subjects, that may have devastating psycho-social consequences. In the last years, numerous evidences have been reported on the efficacy of bio-feedback techniques for the treatment of this disorder. Overall, the literature data claim a success rate in more than 70% of cases in the short term. However, recent controlled trials have not confirmed this optimistic view, thus emphasizing the role of standard care. Nonetheless, many authors believe that this should be the first therapeutic approach for fecal incontinence due to the efficacy, lack of side-effects, and scarce invasiveness. Well-designed randomized, controlled trial are eagerly awaited to solve this therapeutic dilemma.
