Sacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence: optimizing outcome and managing complications

Abstract

An improved outcome of SNS can be achieved by selecting the best possible stimulation parameters individualized to each patient. Further research into the optimal settings is needed.

Long-Term Outcomes of Sacral Nerve Stimulation for Fecal Incontinence

“…12 This may represent poor surgical technique or a placebo effect. Despite the mixed and diverse origin of FI in the 23 patients who underwent successful temporary SNS, all patients in our series had good efficacy after permanent implant.…”

International Continence Society best practice statement for use of sacral neuromodulation

“…It is recommended that the initial follow‐up visits and subsequent follow‐up visits should be spaced at least 1 month apart because full evaluation of setting changes may not be meaningful if the interval is less . Based on the experience that a proportion of patients requires reprogramming in the early phase of follow‐up, more than one follow‐up visit in the first year is recommended …”

“…100 It is recommended that the initial follow-up visits and subsequent follow-up visits should be spaced at least 1 month apart because full evaluation of setting changes may not be meaningful if the interval is less. 138 Based on the experience that a proportion of patients requires reprogramming in the early phase of follow-up, more than one follow-up visit in the first year is recommended. 100,139 Subsequent yearly follow-up visits are advised by international expert groups, 100,125 but no consensus on the timing and interval of follow-up was determined on recent systematic review.…”

Percutaneous neuromodulation of the posterior tibial nerve for the treatment of faecal incontinence – mid‐term results: is retreatment required?

“…Although peripheral stimulation is performed periodically, not continuously, the effect achieved is satisfactory. The same occurs in those patients in whom the pulse generator was turned off at night to save power without affecting continence .…”