METHOD OF STABLY TREATING INCONTINENCE USING A BULKING AGENT

1 . A method for treating fecal incontinence in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a biocompatible bulking agent composition to the anal region of the subject, wherein the composition is administered from about 1 mm to 5 cm from the dentate line.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered to one or more of the anal canal wall, intersphincterically, of the subject.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered to the submucosal layer of the anal canal wall.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the composition is administered from about 1 mm to 5 cm from the dentate line.

5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the composition is administered from about 5 mm to 2 cm from the dentate line.

6 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the composition is administered from about 2 mm to 20 mm from the dentate line and in at least four locations distributed about a circumference of the anal canal.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the at least four locations are distributed evenly spaced from one another.

8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the at least four locations are not evenly spaced from one another.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein a plurality of the at least four locations are distributed closer together relative to the remaining location or locations.

10 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the biocompatible bulking agent composition is administered by injection to the submucosal layer of the anal canal wall in at least 2-4 locations.

11 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the biocompatible bulking agent composition is administered by injection to the submucosal layer of the anal canal wall in about 4 locations.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered to the subject in two rounds of at least four injections per round.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the two rounds of injections are administered to the submucosal layer of the anal canal wall at a same distance from the dentate line.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the two rounds of injections are administered to the submucosal layer of the anal canal wall at different distances from the dentate line.

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the two rounds of injections are administered to separate locations of the anal region.

16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein sites of the second round of injections is administered at a distance of about 1 to 5 mm relative to the sites of the first round of injections.

17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered to the subject with the aid of ultrasonic guidance.

18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible bulking agent composition comprises sodium hyaluronate.

19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible bulking agent composition comprises dextranomer.

20 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible bulking agent composition comprises sodium hyaluronate and dextranomer.

21 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible bulking agent composition comprises (i) a pseudoplastic polymer carrier 0.05-50% (w/w) of the total composition; and (ii) a water insoluble, biocompatible, and biodegradable tissue augmenting substance comprising a dextranomer.

22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the pseudoplastic polymer carrier is selected from the group consisting of glycosaminoglycans, hydroxyl ethyl cellulose, carboxy methyl cellulose, xanthan gum, and alginates.

23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the glycosaminoglycan is hyaluronic acid.

24 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the dextranomer is present in the form of microbeads.

25 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible bulking agent composition is administered by injection.

26 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject excludes those who are (a) pregnant or lactating, (b) have inflammatory bowel disease, (c) have an immunodeficiency disorder or ongoing immunosuppressive therapy, (d) have received prior radiation treatment to the pelvic area, (e) have significant mucosal or full thickness rectal prolapse, (f) have active anorectal conditions that include abscess, fissures, sepsis, bleeding, proctitis, and infection, (g) have anorectal atresia, tumors, stenosis, or malformation, (h) have rectocele, (i) have rectal varices, (j) have existing implant in anorectal region, (k) have an allergy of hyaluronic acid, (l) have anastomosis to the rectum or anus within 10 cm of the dentate line, (m) have an unstable psychological condition, or (n) have a bleeding disorder.

27 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject remains free from reintervention for more than 24 months.

28 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject remains free from the occurrence of device-related adverse event for more than 24 months.

29 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject has a favorable Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life (Rockwood Instrument) result after more than 24 months after treatment, has a favorable Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence Score after more than 24 months after treatment, has a favorable Global Perceived Effect Score after more than 24 months after treatment, has a favorable Time to Fecal Incontinence Reintervention score after more than 24 months after treatment, or wherein the biocompatible bulking agent composition shows relative anatomic stability after more than 24 months after treatment, thereby showing said treatment is effective.

30 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject shows no substantial infections associated with the biocompatible bulking agent after more than 24 months after treatment showing said treatment is effective.