The Renew® anal insert for passive faecal incontinence: a retrospective audit of our use of a novel device

Abstract Aim The Renew® anal insert is a recent treatment for patients who suffer from passive faecal incontinence ( FI ). Our aim was to assess the effectiveness of the insert and patients’ satisfaction with it. Method A retrospective audit of patients who were treated with the Renew® anal insert was undertaken. The St Mark's Incontinence Score was used to evaluate clinical outcome. Renew® size, the number of inserts used per day and per week had also been recorded. Subjective assessment of symptoms, how beneficial Renew® was and how satisfied patients were with the device were all recorded. Major events and side effects were also noted. Results Thirty patients received Renew® as a treatment for passive incontinence in 2016. The median St Mark's Incontinence Score was 15 (range 7–18) at baseline and 10 (range 2–18) at first follow‐up ( P < 0.0001) at a median of 11 (range 8–14) weeks. Eleven (37%) patients used the regular size and 19 (63%) the large size. Patients used an average of 1.67 inserts per day (range 1–3) on an average of 3.58 days per week (1–7). Three patients reported a deterioration in symptoms, seven (23%) had no change and 20 (67%) showed a significant improvement. Six patients (20%) did not like the device while 24 (80%) liked it. Seventeen patients (57%) wanted to continue this treatment in the long term. Conclusion The Renew® device seems to be an acceptable and effective therapeutic option for passive FI . Further work is needed to compare it with other treatments and establish its position in the treatment pathway.