The invention relates to device (1 l) for closing a natural or artificial anus, comprising an inflatable balloon (2) with an approximately toroidal structure made from a flat tube section, which is turned inside out and whose both ends (7, 8) extend coaxially into one another and are each joined to a sleeve (9). The outer layer (5) of the tube section that is turned inside out has a radially enlarged, patient-proximal area (3) for inserting into the rectum and has a patient-distal area (11, 7, 8), which is tapered thereto and which remains, at least in areas, outside of the rectum during use. The tube sections have, in the transanal area (11, 7, 8), a material hardness Hi of greater than 60 according to Shore hardness test A. According to the invention, a stiffening sleeve (14) is placed inside the interrectal area (3) of the inner layer (5) in such a manner that this sleeve is completely separated from the hollow space (10) inside the balloon (2) by its inner penetrable layer (5).
