#$%^&*AU2015201961B220170608.pdf#####ABSTRACT A method of treating anal incontinence in a patient comprising: establishing a pathway in tissue of the patient extending about the anal sphincter, wherein said pathway extends from a left pathway end laterally left and posterior to the anus, through the perineum, to a right pathway end laterally right and posterior to the anus, and wherein the step of establishing said pathway comprises: making a left buttock incision in the patients left buttock at said left pathway end making a right buttock incision in the patients right buttock at said right pathway end making an incision in the posterior vaginal wall that extends into the perineum establishing a left passage of said pathway extending between said left buttock incision and said vaginal incision and establishing a right passage of said pathway extending between said right buttock incision and said vaginal incision implanting an elongate flexible support member in and extending along said pathway to support the anal sphincter, wherein the elongate flexible support member comprises a central portion and exactly two elongate extension portions extending from the central portion.1/9 1001. IT
