Management of postoperative fecal incontinence by pediatric surgeons in Nigeria: a pilot study

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Abstract

Background
Fecal incontinence is a challenging problem in pediatric surgical practice as it occurs in 25 to 50% of patients who have undergone surgery for anorectal malformation and in 5 to 23% after transanal pull-through for Hirschsprung disease. Fecal incontinence impacts on the quality of life of patients; hence, it is important that optimum management is instituted. The management of fecal incontinence in children in sub-Saharan Africa is largely unreported. The study, therefore, evaluated the management practices regarding fecal incontinence by pediatric surgeons in Nigeria.
Results
A total of 37 pediatric surgeons participated in the cross-sectional pilot study. The mean length of practice as specialists was 9.7 (± 7.8) years. The majority, 33 (89.2%), were males; 23 (62.2%) were ≤ 45 years of age, and 14 (37.8%) had practiced as consultant pediatric surgeons for ≥ 10 years.
Conclusions
A combination of modalities will be adopted by at least 60% of pediatric surgeons in Nigeria to manage postoperative pediatric fecal incontinence with bowel management favored by over 80% of specialists surveyed.

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