Outcomes Measured
Women were assessed at regular interval postoperatively and the results were tabulated at less than 6 months (short term) and greater than 6 months (long-term).
The Minimal important difference for the St Mark score has been evaluated as an improvement of more than 5 points by previous validation studies (11).
“Marked improvement” was defined as no or rare faecal incontinence (excluding flatal incontinence and faecal urgency). Quality of life improvement was established through the St Marks score item; ‘how often does the incontinence impact (their) life’ on a scale from 0-4 with 0 being never and 4 being on a daily basis.
In terms of assessing the presence of solid, liquid and fatal incontinence; patients were included that recorded a St mark score of more than “rare” (i.e. a score >1).