Is an Anal Plug Useful in the Treatment of Fecal Incontinence in Children With Spina Bifida or Anal Atresia?

No AccessJournal of UrologyPediatric urology1 Jul 2006Is an Anal Plug Useful in the Treatment of Fecal Incontinence in Children With Spina Bifida or Anal Atresia? M. Van Winckel, S. Van Biervliet, E. Van Laecke, and P. Hoebeke M. Van WinckelM. Van Winckel Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Ghent, Gent, Belgium More articles by this author , S. Van BiervlietS. Van Biervliet Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Ghent, Gent, Belgium More articles by this author , E. Van LaeckeE. Van Laecke Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Ghent, Gent, Belgium Department of Paediatric Urology, University Hospital Ghent, Gent, Belgium More articles by this author , and P. HoebekeP. Hoebeke Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Ghent, Gent, Belgium Department of Paediatric Urology, University Hospital Ghent, Gent, Belgium More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-5347(06)00302-8AboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract Purpose: We evaluated the efficacy and tolerance of the Conveen® anal plug in children with spina bifida or anal atresia with persistent fecal incontinence necessitating diapers despite bowel management. Materials and Methods: Seven 4 to 12-year-old patients with high congenital imperforate anus and 9 who were 6 to 13 years old with spina bifida, no mental retardation and no involuntary urine loss on clean intermittent catheterization were included in the study. During a prospective, 6-week crossover descriptive study after a test period to find the most comfortable plug with a diameter of 37 or 45 mm patients and parents completed a diary with the number of soiling episodes, stool frequency, stool consistency and the number of diapers used during 3 weeks without and with the plug, respectively. They provided a final assessment of the device. Results: Two of the 7 patients with congenital imperforate anus discontinued use because of pain and discomfort, 1 had a decrease in soiling episodes and 4 achieved full continence and needed no diapers while using 2 plugs daily (range 1 to 4). All patients preferred the smaller plug. Two of the 9 patients with spina bifida always lost the plug within 1 hour after introduction, 5 had a decrease in soiling episodes but continued to need diapers and 2 achieved full continence using 2 plugs daily (range 1 to 4). All patients preferred the larger plug. Conclusions: The Conveen® anal plug is an adjuvant treatment option for fecal incontinence in children with congenital imperforate anus or spina bifida, enabling a minority to stop using diapers. The Conveen® anal plug is not a universal solution for fecal incontinence problems in these patients. References 1 : Bowel management for faecal incontinence in patients with anorectal malformations. J Pediatr Surg1998; 33: 133. Google Scholar 2 : The anal continence plug: a disposable device for patients with anorectal incontinence. Lancet1991; 337: 295. Google Scholar 3 : A new polyurethane anal plug in the treatment of incontinence after anal atresia repair. Eur J Paediatr Surg2000; 10: 186. Google Scholar 4 : The anal plug in the treatment of fecal incontinence in myelomeningocele patients: results of the first clinical trial. An Esp Pediatr1999; 51: 489. Google Scholar 5 : Anal plug for faecal incontinence. Colorectal Dis2001; 3: 323. Google Scholar © 2006 by American Urological AssociationFiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byVelde S, Van Biervliet S, Van Renterghem K, Van Laecke E, Hoebeke P and Van Winckel M (2018) Achieving Fecal Continence in Patients With Spina Bifida: A Descriptive Cohort StudyJournal of Urology, VOL. 178, NO. 6, (2640-2644), Online publication date: 1-Dec-2007. Volume 176Issue 1July 2006Page: 342-344 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2006 by American Urological AssociationKeywordsimperforateabnormalitiesspinal dysraphismdisposable equipmentanusfecal incontinenceAcknowledgmentsColoplast provided the Conveen® plugs.MetricsAuthor Information M. Van Winckel Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Ghent, Gent, Belgium More articles by this author S. Van Biervliet Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Ghent, Gent, Belgium More articles by this author E. Van Laecke Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Ghent, Gent, Belgium Department of Paediatric Urology, University Hospital Ghent, Gent, Belgium More articles by this author P. Hoebeke Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Ghent, Gent, Belgium Department of Paediatric Urology, University Hospital Ghent, Gent, Belgium More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...