Table 1.
Pathogenesis and Etiology of Fecal Incontinence.
| Pathogenesis | Etiology |
|---|---|
| Idiopathic anal sphincter dysfunction | Impaired internal anal sphincter dysfunction due to aging |
| Traumatic anal sphincter dysfunction | Childbirth injury |
| Anal surgery | |
| Rectal cancer surgery | |
| Anorectal trauma (from an accident) | |
| Neurogenic anal sphincter dysfunction | Pudendal neuropathy after childbirth |
| Postoperative (postop) autonomic neuropathy, rectal cancer | |
| Autonomic neuropathy from diabetes | |
| Spinal neuropathy (injury, tumor, spina bifida, meningocele, etc.) | |
| Congenital anorectal disorders | Imperforate anus (postop) |
| Hirschsprung disease (postop) | |
| Acquired anorectal disorders | Rectal prolapse |
| Rectocele | |
| Rectal intussusception | |
| Impaired recognition | Multiple sclerosis |
| Dementia | |
| Cerebral infarction | |
| Diabetes | |
| Rectal reservoir dysfunction | Rectal cancer surgery (low anterior resection) |
| Ulcerative colitis surgery (restorative total proctocolectomy) | |
| Radiation | |
| Inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. Rectal lesion from Crohn’s disease) | |
| Bowel habits issues (chronic diarrhea) | Irritable bowel syndrome |
| Inflammatory bowel diseases | |
| Postop cholecystectomy | |
| Collagenous colitis | |
| Functional diarrhea | |
| Laxative abuse | |
| Overflow fecal incontinence | Fecal impaction |
| Encopresis in children |