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Published on: September 13, 2015
Posterior tibial nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence
John Findlay1, Charles Maxwell-Armstrong
1Department of General Surgery, Horton General Hospital, Banbury.
British Journal of Nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
|July 13, 2010
Summary
Posterior tibial nerve stimulation shows promise as a minimally invasive treatment for faecal incontinence. Further research is needed to confirm its efficacy and cost-effectiveness for this common condition.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Gastroenterology
- Neurology
Background:
- Faecal incontinence is a common, multifactorial condition with limited, invasive treatment options.
- Current treatments for faecal incontinence carry significant risks of complications.
- Posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is an established treatment for urinary incontinence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current management options for faecal incontinence.
- To discuss the physiology and evidence for neuromodulation in faecal incontinence.
- To evaluate the evidence base for PTNS in faecal incontinence.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on faecal incontinence treatments.
- Analysis of physiological principles of neuromodulation.
- Systematic review of studies on PTNS for faecal incontinence.
Main Results:
- Limited evidence exists for PTNS in faecal incontinence, primarily from eight small, varied studies.
- Early evidence suggests PTNS may be a viable neuromodulation approach.
- The efficacy and cost-effectiveness of PTNS for faecal incontinence require further investigation.
Conclusions:
- PTNS is an evolving treatment for faecal incontinence with encouraging early results.
- More robust research is necessary to establish PTNS as a minimally invasive, effective, and affordable treatment.
- The potential of PTNS to address this debilitating condition warrants continued exploration.
