ABSTRACT

The aim of this review is to evaluate the impact of rehabilitative treatment in patients with obstructed defecation or fecal incontinence. Pelvic floor muscle training, biofeedback therapy, anal electrostimulation and volumetric rehabilitation have been used to treat the symptoms of patients with the above disorders. Because there are no international agreements on the use of these various rehabilitative techniques, the main problem is related to the absence of standards and guidelines. In spite of these drawbacks many patients may be cured and their quality of life improves. Rehabilitative treatment can also identify those ‘‘non-responders’’ who should be next in line for more expensive and invasive therapeutic procedures.