The invention relates to device (1； 1') for closing a natural or artificialanus, comprising an inflatable balloon (2) with an approximately toroidalstructure made from a flat tube section, which is turned inside out and whoseboth ends (7, 8) extend coaxially into one another and are each joined to asleeve (9). The outer layer (5) of the tube section that is turned inside outhas a radially enlarged, patient-proximal area (3) for inserting into therectum and has a patient-distal area (11, 7, 8), which is tapered thereto andwhich remains, at least in areas, outside of the rectum during use. The tubesections have, in the transanal area (11, 7, 8), a material hardness H1 ofgreater than 60 according to Shore hardness test A. According to theinvention, a stiffening sleeve (14) is placed inside the interrectal area (3)of the inner layer (5) in such a manner that this sleeve is completelyseparated from the hollow space (10) inside the balloon (2) by its innerpenetrable layer (5).
