Sacral nerve stimulation in fecal incontinence

The effect of sacral nerve stimulation was studied in 45 patients with fecal incontinence.

All patients were initially tested in general anesthesia. Sacral nerves 2, 3, and 4 were tested on both sides. If a perineal/perianal muscular response to sacral nerve stimulation could be obtained, electrodes were implanted for a three-week test-stimulation period. If sacral nerve stimulation resulted in at least a 50 percent reduction in incontinence episodes during the test period, a system for permanent sacral nerve stimulation was implanted.

When tested in general anesthesia, 43 of 45 patients had a muscular response to sacral nerve stimulation and had electrodes implanted for the three-week test period. Percutaneous electrodes were used in 34 patients, and 23 of these had at least a 50 percent reduction in incontinence episodes, whereas the electrodes dislocated in 7 patients and 4 had a poor response. Permanent electrodes with percutaneous extension electrodes were used primarily in 9 patients and after dislocation of percutaneous electrodes in an additional 6 patients; 14 of these had a good result. In the last patient, no clinical response to stimulation with the permanent electrode could be obtained. A permanent stimulation system was implanted in 37 patients. After a median of six (range, 0-36) months follow-up, five patients had the system explanted: three because the clinical response faded out, and two because of infection. Incontinence score (Wexner, 0-20) for the 37 patients with a permanent system for sacral nerve stimulation was reduced from median 16 (range, 9-20) before sacral nerve stimulation to median 6 (range, 0-20) at latest follow-up ( P < 0.0001). There was no differences in effect of sacral nerve stimulation in patients with idiopathic incontinence (n = 19) compared with spinal etiology (n = 8) or obstetric cause of incontinence (n = 5). Sacral nerve stimulation did not influence anal pressures or rectal volume tolerability.

Sacral nerve stimulation in fecal incontinence shows promising results. Patients with idiopathic, spinal etiology, or persisting incontinence after sphincter repair may benefit from this minimally invasive treatment.