Pathophysiology and nonsurgical treatment of anal incontinence.

Faecal incontinence has been previously defined as ‘the involuntary or inappropriate passage of faeces’. This definition, however, is considered to be incomplete as it does not include incontinence to flatus. Therefore many adopt the term anal incontinence to include flatus. The current recommended definition of anal incontinence is the involuntary loss of flatus, liquid or solid stool that is a social or hygienic problem.