Improvement of continence by myoplasty of the pelvic floor.

The authors report their experiences with sphincter reconstructions by free muscle transplant using a denervated muscle with its blood supply intact. The transplanted muscle is fixed to the remaining functioning sphincter musculature. New muscle fibres grow from this muscle into the transplanted muscle, allowing the reconstructed sphincter to contract voluntarily as well as reflexively. The operative technique depends on the existing sphincter defect. Free muscle transplantation is preferred if the external sphincter is still partially existing. Eight patients were examined 2 years after the reconstruction operation and the result was very satisfactory. Solid and semi-solid stool could be controlled by all patients. Large muscle transplantations carried out after the method reported by Thompson (1971) are followed by an increased intramuscular scar formation, as was shown by our experiments. A denervated muscle transposition with its own blood supply is therefore preferable. The change of innervation allows the transplanted muscle to perform its new function. In the treatment of congenital sphincter malformations, a larger muscle, i.e. transposition of the denervated gracilis muscle, should be used. This operation was performed in 7 cases of incontinence following operations for rectal atresia and in 1 case of extensive posttraumatic destruction of the sphincter apparatus. In only 1 case was continence for solid stool achieved. In 6 patients there was a temporary control of fluid stools, but under stress all patients with complex sphincter malformations soiled.