Anal plug

An anal plug (or anal tampon) is a medical device sometimes used to treat fecal incontinence by blocking involuntary loss of fecal material.[1] [2] They vary in design and composition, but are typically single-use intra-anal disposable devices made out of soft materials for containing fecal material[2]

Not to be confused with butt plug or rectal dilator.

A 2015 systematic review found that anal plugs may be helpful in alleviating fecal incontinence, provided that they are tolerated and that patients comply with them.[1] [2]

Although more commonly used in patients with neurological disorders (i.e. meningomyelocele), they can be used for anal incontinence of any cause. Some examples of commercially available anal plugs are: Peristeen produced by Coloplast and a polyvinyl-alcohol plug called A-Tam Analtampons produced by Med SSE-System in Germany. The Peristeen (formerly Conveen) plug is a disposable foam insert that expands when exposed to the warm and moisture of the anal canal. It has a conical tip and a removal cord.[3] The A-Tam Analtampons are similarly made of foam and come in various shapes such as cylindrical, spiral and ball-headed.[4]

References
  1. Deutekom, Marije; Dobben, Annette C. (2015-07-20). "Plugs for containing faecal incontinence". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (7): CD005086. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005086.pub4. ISSN 1469-493X. PMID 26193665.
  2. "Conservative treatment for anal incontinence". Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  3. Doherty, W. (2004). "Managing faecal incontinence or leakage: the Peristeen Anal Plug". British Journal of Nursing (Mark Allen Publishing). 13 (21): 1293–1297. doi:10.12968/bjon.2004.13.21.17116. PMID 15580080. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  4. "A-Tam® Analtampons". Retrieved 24 February 2022.


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