Advancing Faecal Incontinence Management: Surgical Innovations and Integrated Care Models

Faecal incontinence (FI) remains a significant challenge in colorectal and proctological surgery, affecting a diverse patient population and demanding complex clinical decision-making. Although conservatively managed in many cases, persistent or severe FI often requires surgical intervention, in which precise diagnosis and tailored operative strategies are critical. Contemporary debates focus on the comparative efficacy of evolving surgical modalities, the use of advanced diagnostic imaging, and the integration of non-surgical therapies to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Recent studies highlight the transformative impact of innovations such as sphincteroplasty, sacral neuromodulation, injectable bulking agents, and pelvic floor reconstruction, especially when supported by high-resolution imaging tools like endoanal ultrasound and dynamic MRI. Nonetheless, gaps remain in understanding patient selection criteria, long-term success rates, integration of multidisciplinary care, and the interplay between surgical technique and overall quality of life.This Research Topic aims to emphasise the central role of surgery in the multidisciplinary management of faecal incontinence. The objective is to consolidate current knowledge and stimulate further investigation into surgical advancements, innovative procedural approaches, and their synergy with contemporary diagnostic and rehabilitative modalities. Contributions are encouraged to critically examine both established and novel surgical interventions, operative planning utilising advanced imaging, and multidisciplinary collaborative pathways that can refine patient selection and improve post-surgical outcomes. Furthermore, we seek to highlight approaches that address the intersection between surgical care and psychosocial well-being, ensuring that surgical advances translate to meaningful quality-of-life gains for patients.While maintaining a focus on surgical care in faecal incontinence, this Research Topic also embraces integrated multidisciplinary collaboration to optimise outcomes. We encourage submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following areas:• Advancements in surgical techniques: sphincteroplasty, sacral neuromodulation, bulking agents, and pelvic floor reconstruction;• The role of advanced imaging (endoanal ultrasound, dynamic MRI, defaecography, AI-driven diagnostics) in surgical planning and outcome evaluation;• Patient selection, risk stratification, and individualised treatment pathways for surgical intervention;• Postoperative rehabilitation: coordination of surgical and non-surgical care for enhancing long-term continence;• Multidisciplinary clinical pathways and models for perioperative and follow-up care;• The impact of surgical interventions on psychosocial outcomes and quality of life;• Integrating microbiome and gut-brain research with surgical approaches to FI.We welcome, but are not limited to, original research, reviews, clinical protocols, technical notes, and case series from colorectal surgeons, pelvic floor specialists, radiologists, physiotherapists, gastroenterologists, continence nurses, and allied health professionals.Conflict of Interest Statement• Topic Editor Tanzeela Gala declares that Wellspect Healthcare has funded her PhD project by providing rectal irrigation starter kits to participants of the ReVo randomised controlled trial, and has also provided funding to recruit a research nurse in her department (Pelvic Floor Unit, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust) to support the trial’s progress.• Topic Editor Peter Christensen declares that he is a member of the advisory board and an external consultant for Coloplast and for Qufora, and a member of the advisory board for Innocon Medical.• Topic Editor Liliana Bordeianou declares that she has received research grants, paid to her institution, from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, the ASCRS Research Foundation, and Cook Myosite.• The remaining Topic Editor, Alison Hainsworth, declares no competing interests.All Topic Editors confirm that these relationships have had no influence on the scope, editorial handling, or peer review of this Research Topic. Topic editors: Peter Christensen, Tanzeela Gala, Alison Hainsworth, Liliana Bordeianou Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80437/advancing-faecal-incontinence-management-surgical-innovations-and-integrated-care-models