Kessler Tr

Artificial control of the anal colostomy in sheep

Abstract A completely artificial, inanimate, anal-occluding mechanism using a velour-covered Silastic ring outside the bowel and an inflated balloon proximal to the ring and within the bowel is described and has been implanted in 18 sheep. Results indicate that the prosthetic ring is completely accepted by the body. The balloon is liquid-occlusive and nontraumatic to the occluded bowel. The prosthesis enables voluntary control of the bowels, obviates appliances and their problems, makes bowel care cleaner, quicker, and easier, makes defecation almost a normal process and returns the anus to its proper position. The device is advocated for clinical trial and its assets as a clinical tool are discussed.