The use of Permacol® injections for the treatment of faecal incontinence

• Published in: Updates in surgery Vol. 64; no. 4; pp. 289 - 295
• Main Authors: Hussain, Zeiad I., Lim, Michael, Mussa, Haider, Abbas, Kazim, Stojkovic, Stevan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Milan Springer Milan 01.12.2012
• Subjects: Aged; Anal Canal; Biocompatible Materials - administration & dosage; Collagen - administration & dosage; Defecation; Endosonography; Fecal Incontinence - diagnostic imaging; Fecal Incontinence - physiopathology; Fecal Incontinence - surgery; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Injections; Intestinal Mucosa; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Original Article; Prospective Studies; Prosthesis Implantation - methods; Surgery; Treatment Outcome; Faecal incontinence; Injectable bulking agents; Permacol
• ISSN: 2038-131X; 2038-3312
• DOI: 10.1007/s13304-012-0176-x

The aim of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of Permacol ® implant for the treatment of idiopathic faecal incontinence using a novel injection technique. Patients with idiopathic passive faecal incontinence were selected for trans-submucosal injection of Permacol ® after assessment by anorectal physiology and endoanal ultrasonography. Clinical assessment and St. Mark’s Incontinence Score were used to evaluate efficacy before and at two time points (1 and 2 years) after treatment. Rockwood Score were also used to determine quality of life before and after treatment. The Friedman and Chi-square tests were used to compare continuous and categorical data, respectively. A p value of <0.05 was deemed significant. Thirty-eight patients (24 female), median age 66 years, were recruited. At maximum clinical follow-up (median of 9 months), response to Permacol ® injections was categorised as excellent, good, fair and poor in 12, 5, 4 and 17 patients, respectively. St. Mark’s Score improved in 72 and 63 % of patients at 1 and 2 years, respectively. However, a smaller proportion of patients (39 and 27 %, respectively) achieved a 50 %, or more, improvement in Mark’s Score. All four domains of Rockwood Quality of Life Score improved on first and second year follow-up, however, only two domains, coping and embarrassment, were statistically significant. Permacol ® injection improved symptoms by >50 % in 39 and 27 % of patients on short and medium-term follow-ups, respectively. The trans-submucosal technique for injection of Permacol ® in this study was safe with no significant adverse outcomes.