Regenerative Approach With Autologous Fat Grafting and Stem Cells for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Anal Incontinence - A Case Report

Sep 30, 2026

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Autologous fat grafting enriched with mesenchymal stem cells is presented as a minimally invasive regenerative option for posttraumatic anal incontinence. The method targets functional restoration and potentially improves continence and quality of life even when structural sphincter defects remain. The case report frames the therapy as an alternative for patients refractory to conventional approaches, emphasizing tissue regeneration of injured sphincter-related structures.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Case History

Preoperative assessment

Regenerative surgical approach

Discussion

Clinical Case Reports CASE REPORT OPEN ACCESS Regenerative Approach With Autologous Fat Grafting and Stem Cells for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Anal Incontinence: A Case Report Alexandre da Silva Nishimura1 | Giuliana Donoso Andrade Silva2 | Vitor Holmo Figueira1 | Eduardo Isaac Nishimoto1 | Pedro Luiz Nishimura Menardi3 | Igor Rincon Gonçalves Passaglia4 | Sabrina Thalita dos Reis5 1Coloproctologist at Vila Nova Star Hospital, Rede D'Or, São Paulo, Brazil | 2Radiologist at Ultra One, São Paulo, Brazil | 3Medical Student at University of São Francisco, São Paulo, Brazil | 4Plastic Surgeon at Vila Nova Star Hospital, Rede D'Or, São Paulo, Brazil | 5Laboratory of Medical Investigation (LIM55), Urology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil Correspondence: Sabrina Thalita dos Reis (sabrinareis@usp.br) Received: 1 September 2025 | Revised: 3 November 2025 | Accepted: 25 November 2025 Keywords: anal incontinence | autologous fat grafting | post-traumatic injury | regenerative medicine | stem cells | ABSTRACT
Autologous fat grafting enriched with mesenchymal stem cells is a promising minimally invasive regenerative therapy for posttraumatic anal incontinence. This approach may restore continence and quality of life, even when structural sphincter defects persist. | | | --- | --- | | 1 | Introduction | The pathophysiology of anal incontinence is still not fully understood, but it involves the malfunctioning of anatomical struc- | | Fecal incontinence is characterized by the recurrent involuntary | tures that are essential for continence, such as the internal and | | loss of liquid or solid feces, and is often associated with stigma | external anal sphincters, the pelvic floor muscles and the senso- | | and a marked reduction in quality of life [1]. Anal incontinence, | rimotor apparatus [6]. Treatment usually begins with conserva- | | which also includes the unintentional release of gas and mucus, | tive measures such as sacral neuromodulation, biofeedback and | | has an underestimated prevalence of between 7% and 15% in | the use of drugs such as antidiarrheals and laxatives. However, | | the general population, with higher rates among the elderly and | in refractory cases, especially when there are extensive lesions | | women [2, 3] . This condition can be classified into three main | in the internal and external sphincters, surgical approaches are | | subtypes: passive incontinence, in which involuntary elimina- | used, including injections of volumizing agents and, in more se- | | tion of feces or gas occurs without the patient realizing it; urge | vere situations, colostomy [7, 8] . In this scenario, regenerative | | incontinence, characterized by involuntary evacuation even | therapies have emerged as promising alternatives, with the aim | | when attempts are made to contain it; and fecal infiltration, | of restoring sphincter function through tissue regeneration and | | which refers to the loss of feces after regular evacuations [3] . Regardless of its severity, it is a relevant clinical challenge, both | functional recovery of injured muscle structures. | | from a physical and psychological and social point of view, given | In recent years, autologous lipografting has gained promi- | | its morbidity and association with psychopathologies such as de- | nence as a potential regenerative technique, based both on its | | pression, anxiety disorders and sexual dysfunction [4, 5] . | mechanical volumizing effect and on the high concentration of | | This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
© 2026 The Author(s). Clinical Case Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. | | Clinical Case Reports, 2026; 14:e71619 1 of 7 [https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.71619](https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.71619) mesenchymal st

FAQs

What therapy is described for post-traumatic anal incontinence?

The report describes regenerative surgery using autologous fat grafting (lipograft) enriched with mesenchymal stem cells.

What patient characteristics are included in the case history?

The case involves a previously healthy 17-year-old male with severe pelvic trauma from a car accident at age 15, leading to extensive sphincter damage and fecal incontinence.

How does the approach relate to conventional treatments and outcomes?

The therapy is positioned as a minimally invasive alternative, aimed at restoring sphincter function and improving continence when conventional treatments are insufficient, including cases with persistent structural defects.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo