Sacral nerve stimulation: a promising therapy for fecal and urinary incontinence and constipation in children

International Continence Society best practice statement for use of sacral neuromodulation

“…SNM for combined urinary and fecal incontinence has been also explored in children with a positive response. Based on prospective clinical data and patient‐reported measures, 29 patients showed between 55% and 91% improvement in both bowel and bladder dysfunction …”

“…Based on prospective clinical data and patient-reported measures, 29 patients showed between 55% and 91% improvement in both bowel and bladder dysfunction. 74 SNM should be considered for combined urinary and FI after the work-up for both conditions has been completed.…”

Sacral nerve stimulation for constipation and fecal incontinence in children: Long‐term outcomes, patient benefit, and parent satisfaction

“…reported short‐term outcomes of the first 29 children treated with SNS at our institution, which included 22 children who had constipation at baseline. This group, which included both children with organic causes of constipation and functional constipation, experienced significant improvement both symptomatically and in quality of life at a median of 4‐5 months after SNS initiation . A portion of this group was included in the current study.…”

“…Sacral nerve stimulation treatment was initiated in two stages for all patients . Both stages were performed under general anesthesia with the patient in the prone position.…”

“…However, recent studies have not shown SNS to be an effective treatment for adults with constipation . Experience with the use of SNS in children with constipation has been positive thus far but remains limited, and the long‐term outcomes of SNS treatment in children with constipation are not yet clearly understood . Although SNS appears to be a promising treatment option for children with refractory constipation, an understanding of its long‐term efficacy and safety in children is needed before this treatment modality becomes more widely accepted.…”