Prognosis
The recurrence rate is high in general for all causes of fecal incontinence.
Functional nonretentive
In one study, only 29% of the patients with functional nonretentive fecal incontinence were successfully treated after 2 years of intensive therapy. After 18 years of age, 15% continued to have fecal incontinence despite treatment.[49]
Anorectal malformations
Patients with vestibular fistula, perineal fistula, rectal atresia, rectourethral bulbar fistula, or imperforate anus without fistula will likely have voluntary bowel movements by 3 years of age.[13]
Patients with high cloacal defect or a rectobladder neck fistula have a poor prognosis and will likely experience persistent fecal incontinence.[13]
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