ABSTRACT
Disorders of continence are frequently neglected but rather common complications of anorectal surgery. They are usually mild and elicited only on direct question, but once the subject is raised it is usually apparent that the patients are only too well aware of it but regard it as a price that must be paid. On the other hand, the disorders can be quite disturbing, particularly to fastidious patients and must be regarded as a serious blemish on the results of the operation. 1 The disorder is difficult for patients to accept, since it is not caused by a disease but by a surgical procedure that first was considered to be a minor one and now threatens to destroy their social and sexual life. It mainly concerns soiling and impaired control for flatus and liquid, although true fecal incontinence does occur. Normal function returns after several weeks in most cases, although some authors believe that soiling shows little tendency to improve with time. 2
