Long-term efficacy of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence and a new approach for partial responders

Background The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) for patients with faecal incontinence (FI) refractory to conservative treatment. Secondary aims were to identify predictors of response and validate new treatment pathways for partial responders. Methods A prospective, interventional study was carried out in a specialist defecatory disorder unit from a university hospital between January 2010 and June 2017 on patients > 18 years old with FI refractory to conservative treatment. Thirty-minute PTNS sessions were performed in three phases (weekly, biweekly and monthly) up to a year, with clinical reassessment at 3, 6, 12 and 36 months. Patients were classified as optimal responders when their pretreatment Wexner score decreased > 50%; partial responders when it decreased 25–50%; and insufficient responders if it decreased