[The continent stoma].

Stomatic continence is not comparable to the complicated system of the anorectal organ. Therefore, the definition of continence is ability to arbitrarily determine defecation but with some restriction. It further means the nonreliance on a stoma bag for the intervals between defecation. Continence is achieved by special diet, irrigation, laxatives and clysters. It can be supported by passive and active implants as well as surgical techniques which use smooth and striated muscle functions to imitate, to a certain extent, the muscular components of the anorectal organ.