A Study of Anal Continence Mechanisms in a Rat Model: Effect of Pudendal Nerve Transection and Sphincterotomy

Hypothesis / aims of study Fecal incontinence is a major debilitating condition that primarily affects women due to childbirth injuries. Most women who have acute injury to their anal sphincters remain asymptomatic, and injuries remain occult for a long time before women present with symptoms of fecal incontinence. Although anal physiology has been investigated previously, no animal model has been established for studying the mechanism of this injury, deterioration of continence with age, as well as potential treatments. Rat anal sphincter anatomy is similar to human, which makes this animal suitable for studying the etiologic mechanisms of fecal incontinence. Our aim was to study the long term effect of pudendal nerve transection (PNT) and sphincterotomy on the anal sphincter.