Innovations in fecal incontinence: sacral nerve stimulation

The aim of this study was to present an overview of sacral nerve stimulation in the treatment of fecal incontinence. We describe the evolution in technique, patient selection, and indications, and review results and complications.

All articles on sacral nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence that were recovered on MEDLINE search were reviewed. With multiple articles from an institution, the most recent reports with the longest follow-up and largest cohort of patients were selected, unless information from earlier reports was relevant.

The technique of sacral stimulation is well established, carries little risk, and continues to be refined (e.g., a less invasive approach has been proposed). Patient selection is based on a two-stage diagnostic test stimulation (acute and subchronic), for which the predictive value is high. On this basis, permanent sacral nerve stimulation has proved effective in both single-center and multicenter trials in patients with a functional deficit but limited morphologic lesions or no morphologic lesions. The clinical benefit derives from multiple symptomatic improvements contributing to better bowel control and from substantially improved quality of life. The underlying mechanism of action remains undefined, but both somatic and autonomic function appears affected.

Sacral nerve stimulation offers a safe treatment mode in a patient population in whom conservative treatment has failed and traditional surgical approaches would have limited success. The high predictive value of the diagnostic approach offers a unique therapeutic advantage.