Sacral root neuromodulation as treatment for fecal incontinence. Preliminary results

We present our initial experience in the treatment of fecal incontinence (FI) with sacral root neuromodulation (SRN) by reporting the results of a prospective study with 26 patients where baseline Wexner-Cleveland scale scores and ability to delay defecation were compared to results after one year with SRN. The initial study of patients included history taking, general examination, anal ultrasonography, and manometry, and a three-week diary of continence and quality of life specific for FI was used. Before SRN the mean baseline Wexner-Cleveland score was 15.00 +/- 1.81, and 62.50% of patients could only delay defecation for less than a minute. After a year with NRS the mean Wexner-Cleveland score was 4.87 +/- 2.54 (p = 0.0031), and 75.01% of patients could delay defecation above fifteen minutes (p = 0.0018). We also describe the surgical technique and its indications, and finally review the various therapeutical options for FI and show our algorithm for this condition. SRN is an effective technique for the treatment of FI in properly selected patients with no response to medical therapies (including biofeedback) or anatomic correction (sphincteroplasty), with efficacy, little morbidity, and a short hospital stay.