S. M. P. Koch

Sacral neuromodulation in patients with faecal incontinence: results of the first 100 permanent implantations.

Objective  Faecal incontinence (FI) is a socially devastating problem. Sacral nerve modulation (SNM) has proven its place in the treatment of patients with FI. In this study, the first 100 definitive SNM implants in a single centre have been evaluated prospectively.

Sacral neuromodulation in patients with fecal incontinence: a single-center study.

PURPOSE:Fecal incontinence is a psychologically devastating and socially incapacitating condition. Conventional treatment is likely to improve continence in many patients; however, there remains a group with persisting symptoms who are not amenable for a simple surgical repair. We evaluated the effect of sacral neuromodulation in patients with structurally intact sphincters after failure of conventional treatment.METHODS:Patients aged 18 to 75 years were evaluated. Incontinence was defined as involuntary loss of stool at least once per week, which was objectified by completion of a three-week bowel-habits diary during ambulatory electrode stimulation at the S3 or S4 foramen. Patients were qualified for permanent stimulation when showing a reduction of at least 50 percent in incontinence episodes or days.RESULTS:Seventy-five patients (66 females; mean age, 52 (range, 26–75) years) were treated. Three patients had partial spinal cord injury, two patients a previous low-anterior resection, and nine patients had a previous sphincter repair. Evaluation after trial screening showed that 62 patients (83 percent) had improved continence. Median incontinence episodes per week decreased from 7.5 to 0.67 (P < 0.01), median incontinence days per week from 4 to 0.5 (P < 0.01). The symptomatic response stayed unchanged after implantation of a permanent electrode and pacemaker in 50 patients. After a median follow-up of 12 months, this effect could be sustained in 48 patients. Anal manometry during stimulation showed no increase of sphincter pressures.CONCLUSIONS:Sacral neuromodulation is a feasible treatment option for fecal incontinence in patients with structurally intact sphincters.

Is a morphologically intact anal sphincter necessary for success with sacral nerve modulation in patients with faecal incontinence

Objective  Sacral nerve modulation (SNM) for the treatment of faecal incontinence was originally performed in patients with an intact anal sphincter or after repair of a sphincter defect. There is evidence that SNM can be performed in patients with faecal incontinence and an anal sphincter defect.

Determination of therapeutic threshold in sacral nerve modulation for faecal incontinence

The aim of the study was to determine the therapeutic stimulation threshold in patients with successful sacral nerve modulation for faecal incontinence.

The artificial bowel sphincter for faecal incontinence: a single centre study

Background and aimsFaecal incontinence (FI) is a socially devastating problem. The treatment algorithm depends on the aetiology of the problem. Large anal sphincter defects can be treated by sphincter replacement procedures: the dynamic graciloplasty and the artificial bowel sphincter (ABS).Materials and methodsPatients were included between 1997 and 2006. A full preoperative workup was mandatory for all patients. During the follow-up, the Williams incontinence score was used to classify the symptoms, and anal manometry was performed.ResultsThirty-four patients (25 women) were included, of which, 33 patients received an ABS. The mean follow-up was 17.4 (0.8–106.3) months. The Williams score improved significantly after placement of the ABS (p < 0.0001). The postoperative anal resting pressure with an empty cuff was not altered (p = 0.89). The postoperative ABS pressure was significantly higher then the baseline squeeze pressure (p = 0.003). Seven patients had an infection necessitating explantation. One patient was successfully reimplanted.ConclusionThe artificial bowel sphincter is an effective treatment for FI in patients with a large anal sphincter defect. Infectious complications are the largest threat necessitating explantation of the device.

Prospective study of colonic irrigation for the treatment of defaecation disorders.

Retrograde colonic irrigation is a possible treatment for defaecation disorders when conservative treatment or surgery has failed. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate its effectiveness.

Sacral neuromodulation: long term outcome and quality of life in patients with faecal incontinence

Aim  Since 1994 sacral neuromodulation (SNM) has increasingly been used for the treatment of faecal incontinence, but no long‐term data in a large group of patients have so far been published. We report long‐term outcome and quality of life in the first 50 patients treated by permanent SNM for faecal incontinence.

Retrograde colonic irrigation for faecal incontinence after low anterior resection

Background and aimsThis study aims to evaluate the therapeutic effect of retrograde colonic irrigation in patients with faecal incontinence after a low anterior resection for a rectal carcinoma.Materials and MethodsPatients with a previous low anterior resection, who were selected for treatment with retrograde colonic irrigation for faecal incontinence between 2005 and 2008, were included in the study. The data from the patients were gathered by chart research and an interview by phone.ResultsThirty patients were included in the study. Three patients died and one patient was not able to answer questions due to a cognitive disorder. The data of the remaining 26 patients were analysed. Five patients had already stopped with the retrograde colonic irrigation treatment due to side effects. Twelve of the 21 patients (57.46%) who still performed RCI became completely (pseudo)continent, three patients (14.2%) were incontinent for flatus and six patients (29.4%) were still incontinent for liquid stool. Five patients stopped with the retrograde colonic irrigation treatment due to side-effects.ConclusionRetrograde colonic irrigation is an effective method to treat patients with faecal incontinence after a low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma. Retrograde colonic irrigation is not invasive and has only mild side effects.

Dynamic graciloplasty in patients born with an anorectal malformation.

PURPOSEThe aim of this study was to compare long-term results for patients born with an anorectal malformation and fecal incontinence treated with a dynamic graciloplasty with those for the total group of patients undergoing dynamic graciloplasty.METHODSConsecutive patients with fecal incontinence after surgical treatment of anorectal malformation and treated with dynamic graciloplasty were included in this study. Preoperative assessment was performed. Postoperative follow-up consisted of anorectal manometry and registration of defecation frequency, continence scores, and postponement time of defecation.RESULTSTwenty-eight patients with a median age of 25.5 years were included in the study. The median follow-up was 4 years. A high anorectal malformation was present in 89.3 percent of patients. Conventional graciloplasty had been previously performed in 36 percent. All patients were incontinent for stools. Median frequency of defecation was four times/day. Median postponement time of defecation was 0 minutes. Rectoanal inhibition reflex was present in 17 percent of patients. Median preoperative sensory threshold during balloon distention was 30 ml and median maximum urge threshold was 165 ml. Satisfactory continence was reached in 35 percent of patients, however, 7.1 percent of patients gained this continence score by additional bowel irrigation. Twenty-nine percent of patients were incontinent for loose stool, 36 percent were incontinent for formed stool. Satisfactory continence was achieved in only 18 percent of patients with a high anorectal malformation, compared with 100 percent in patients with a low anorectal malformation. In the total group of patients with dynamic graciloplasty, satisfactory continence was obtained in 76 percent. The sensitivity threshold in patients with a successful dynamic graciloplasty was lower than that in patients with a failing dynamic graciloplasty (45 vs. 24 ml, P = 0,06). When we compare median preoperative rectal sensitivity threshold in our study group with that in the total patient group with dynamic graciloplasty, statistical difference was established (P = 0.008). Postponement time (0 to 20 minutes) and anal squeeze pressure (81 to 120 mmHg) increased significantly after surgery. Patients with an anorectal malformation had significantly lower resting and stimulation pressure than that of the total group of patients, but the difference between resting and stimulation pressure in both groups was not significantly different (P = 0.33). The difference between resting and stimulation pressure was not significantly different between anorectal malformation patients with a failing dynamic graciloplasty and patients with a successful dynamic graciloplasty. Complications were noted in 57 percent of patients. Explantation of the dynamic graciloplasty was necessary in 32 percent of patients, mainly because of infection of the implant.CONCLUSIONSResults of dynamic graciloplasty for fecal incontinence are reasonable for this specific group of patients with limited treatment options. Despite functional dynamic graciloplasty, the results are worse than those for the total group of patients with dynamic graciloplasty. Rectal sensitivity and type of malformation are prognostic factors for outcome and can be used to select patients for treatment with dynamic graciloplasty, thereby improving treatment outcome.

Sacral nerve modulation and other treatments in patients with faecal incontinence after unsuccessful pelvic floor rehabilitation: a prospective study

Objectives Sacral nerve modulation (SNM) is a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of faecal incontinence. This study investigates the results of SNM after negative outcome of a standardized pelvic floor rehabilitation (PFR) programme for the treatment of faecal incontinence.