Sacral nerve stimulation and rectal function: results of a prospective study in faecal incontinence

The mechanisms of action of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) to treat faecal incontinence remain poorly understood.

(i) to measure the effect of SNS on rectal function and (ii) to evaluate rectal function as a predictive factor of clinical response to SNS. Rectal function was studied before and 3 months after permanent SNS in 18 patients (17 women, mean age 58.5 years) with faecal incontinence, using an electronic barostat. Rectal sensitivity and volume variations were recorded during isobaric distensions. Three months after SNS, 14 patients had a significant improvement of faecal incontience symptoms and four had not. Baseline 'maximal tolerated volume' was significantly lower in the positive response group (210 +/- 56 vs 286 +/- 30 mL, P = 0.02). Baseline rectal compliance was lower in patients with a positive response than those without, although this difference did not reach significance (6.2 +/- 3.2 vs 9.2 +/- 2.9 mL mmHg(-1),P = 0.10). Rectal compliance was not significantly modified by SNS. Our results suggest that an increased rectal capacity as measured by the maximal tolerated volume may be a predictive factor of poor response to SNS in faecal incontinence. SNS does not significantly modify rectal function.