Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 13, 2026
Cavernous Nerve Stimulation and Recording of Intracavernous Pressure in a Rat
Published on: April 23, 2018
Does Sacral Nerve Stimulation Improve Continence Through Enhanced Sensitivity of the Anal Canal? A Pilot Study
11Department of Surgery P, THG, University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark 2Mech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark 3Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark 4Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark 5Neurogastroenterology Unit, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Background:
It has been suggested that the effects of sacral nerve stimulation against fecal incontinence involve neuromodulation at spinal or supraspinal levels.
Objective:
This study aims to investigate the afferent sensory pathways from the anorectum before and during sacral nerve stimulation.
Design:
This is an explorative study.
Patients:
Fifteen women with idiopathic fecal incontinence (mean age, 58 ± 12.2 years) were selected.
Interventions:
Cortical evoked potentials were recorded during repeated rapid balloon distension of the rectum and the anal canal both before and during temporary sacral nerve stimulation. Stimuli applied were individualized according to the subjective urge to defecate.
Main Outcome Measures:
The main outcomes measured were 1) stimulus intensity, 2) latencies and amplitudes of cortical evoked potentials, and 3) spectral content in predefined frequency bands of cortical evoked potentials.
Results:
The median Wexner fecal incontinence score improved from 15.5 ± 3.6 before to 6.7 ± 5 during sacral nerve stimulation (p < 0.001). Sacral nerve stimulation did not affect the threshold for urge to defecate during rectal distension (p = 0.64) but reduced the threshold from stimulation of the anal canal by 50% (p = 0.03). No statistically significant differences were found in latencies, amplitudes, or spectral analysis.
Limitations:
This is a pilot study of limited size.
Conclusions:
In patients with idiopathic fecal incontinence, sacral nerve stimulation reduced the threshold for urge to defecate elicited from the anal canal, whereas supraspinal responses remained unaltered. This may suggest that sacral nerve stimulation, at least in part, acts via somatic afferent fibers enhancing anal sensation.
More Related Videos
08:19In Vitro Characterization of the Electrophysiological Properties of Colonic Afferent Fibers in Rats
Published on: September 27, 2017
06:29Novel Surgical Rodent Model for Studying Neuroma Pain Treatment Options using Targeted Muscle Reinnervation Through the Saphenous Nerve
Published on: November 14, 2025
Related Concept Videos
01:21Spinal Nerves: Plexus II
The Lumbar Plexus
The lumbar plexus is situated within the lumbar region of the back and is primarily formed by the first four lumbar spinal nerves (L1 to L4). This plexus extends its branches into several nerves, including the...
01:25Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
01:22Somatic Spinal Reflexes
One of the most well-known somatic spinal reflexes is the stretch reflex, which is activated by the sudden stretching of a muscle. This reflex involves the activation of specialized sensory receptors called muscle spindles, which are located in the muscle tissue and detect changes in the length and speed of muscle contractions. When a muscle is suddenly...
01:23Spinal Nerves: Anatomy
There are 31 bilateral pairs of spinal nerves, each emerging from the spinal cord through the intervertebral foramina—openings between adjacent vertebrae. These nerves are...