Achieving enteric continence: principles and applications

Abstract

Continence may be defined broadly as the ability to defer the passage of enteric content voluntarily to a socially acceptable time and place. In health, continence is provided by the anorectum; several factors interplay to achieve control. When the colon and rectum are removed because of intractable inflammatory bowel disease, a Brooke ileostomy that is incontinent of stool and gas is traditionally constructed, and control of the stoma is provided by an external appliance. Although the functional results after a Brooke ileostomy are good, we believe that restoration of continence would enhance the quality of life. The methods by which continence is restored surgically have undergone evolutionary changes based on an expanding knowledge of the principles of continence gained in the laboratory. In this report, we detail the current status of our understanding of anorectal continence mechanisms and of the principles of ileal continence, in order to examine how "ileo-anal" continence has been achieved in patients who require proctocolectomy.